Library  or 

REV.  R.  D.  CARMICHAEL. 


Glittering  Gems  for 
"Willing  Workers* 


BY 


Rev.  W.  T.  ROUSE,  ll.  m. 


PUBLISHED  FOR  THE  AUTHOR. 


1 900: 

Pentecostal  Hebald  Press, 
Louisville,  Kt, 


Copyrighted  by  W.  T.  Rouse, 
January,  1900. 


INTRODUCTION, 


The  desire  to  furnish  Christian  workers  with  helpful  material 
is  the  author’s  motive  for  preparing  this  volume.  It  is  intended 
for  all,  but  especially  for  pastors,  Sunday-School  teachers,  and 
those  who  engage  in  Y.  M.  and  Y.  W.  C.  A.  work,  for  Ep- 
worth  Leaguers,  and  for  Christian  Endeavor  and  prayer-meeting 
workers. 

Its  primary  object  is  to  furnish  stories  and  incidents  to  illus- 
trate the  Scripture  lesson ; but  the  author  hopes  it  may  prove  a 
source  of  real  joy  to  those  who  read  it;  that  Christians  may  be 
awakened  to  their  sense  of  duty  to  serve  their  Master,  and  that 
sinners  may  be  converted  by  the  reading  of  this  volume. 

I am  grateful  for  encouragement  received  from  many  friends, 
and  acknowledge  my  indebtedness  in  a special  manner  to  Misses 
Love  Hawkins,  Annie  Fowler,  Virginia  Wall  and  Kate  McNeil. 
All  Christians  into  whose  hands  this  book  may  come,  will  do  the 
author  a favor  by  aiding  in  its  circulation. 

May  the  blessings  of  God  rest  upon  every  one  who  reads 
these  pages,  and  may  He  give  you  His  Spirit  is  the  prayer  of  the 
author.  W.  T.  ROUSE. 

Louisville,  Ky.,  Dec.  20,  1899. 


3 


MERCY, 


Just  For  To-Day* 


Lord,  for  to-morrow  and  its  needs 
I do  not  pray  : 

Help  me  from  stain  of  sin 
Just  for  to-day; 

Let  me  both  diligently  work 
And  duly  pray, 

Let  me  be  kind  in  deed  and  word, 

Just  for  to-day; 

Let  me  be  slow  to  do  my  will, 

Prompt  to  obey; 

Help  me  to  sacrifice  myself, 

Just  for  to-day. 

Let  me  no  wrong  or  idle  word 
Unthinking  say. 

Set  thou  thy  seal  upon  my  lips, 

Just  for  to-day. 

So  for  the  morrow  and  its  needs 
I do  not  pray; 

But  keep  me,  guide  me,  hold  me,  Lord, 

Just  for  to-day. 

—Canon  Wilberforce. 

Counting  The  Stars* 

I was  walking  along  one  winter  night,  hurrying 
toward  home,  with  my  little  maiden  at  my  side. 

5 


6 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


Said  she:  “Father,  I am  going  to  count  the  stars.” 
“Very  well,”  I said,  “go  on.” 

By  and  by  I heard  her  counting:  “Two  hundred 
and  twenty-three,  two  hundred  and  twenty-four,  two 
hundred  and  twenty-five  — O dear,”  she  said,  “I  had 
no  idea  there  were  so  many.” 

“Ah,  dear  friends,  I sometimes  say  in  my  soul: 
‘Now,  Master,  I am  going  to  count  thy  benefits.’ 
Soon  my  heart  sighs,  not  with  sorrow,  but  burdened 
with  such  goodness;  and  I say  to  myself , ‘ I had  no 
idea  there  were  so  many.’” — Marie  Guy  Pearse. 

The  Ungrateful  Soldier* 


Here  is  a story  of  the  battlefield.  There  was  a 
war  between  the  Swedes  and  the  Danes.  One  day  a 
great  battle  was  fought,  and  the  Swedes  were  beaten 
and  driven  from  the  field.  A soldier  of  the  Danes 
who  had  been  slightly  wounded  was  sitting  on  the 
ground.  He  was  about  to  take  a drink  from  a flask. 
All  at  once  he  heard  some  one  say: 

“Oh,  sir!  give  me  a drink,  for  I am  dying.” 

It  was  a wounded  Swede  who  spoke.  He  was  lying 
on  the  ground  only  a little  way  off.  The  Dane  went 
to  him  at  once.  He  knelt  down  by  the  side  of  his 
fallen  foe,  and  pressed  the  flask  to  his  lips.  “Drink,” 
said  he,  “for  thy  need  is  greater  than  mine.” 

Hardly  had  he  spoken  these  words  when  the  Swede 
raised  himself  on  his  elbow.  He  pulled  a pistol  from 
his  pocket  and  shot  at  the  man  who  would  have  be- 
friended him.  The  bullet  grazed  the  Dane’s  shoul- 
der, but  did  not  do  him  much  harm. 

“Ah,  you  rascal!”  he  cried,  “I  was  going  to  be- 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


7 


friend  you,  and  you  repay  me  by  trying-  to  kill  me. 
Now  I will  punish  you.  I would  have  given  you  all 
the  water,  but  now  vou  shall  have  only  half.”  And 
with  that  he  drank  half  of  it,  and  then  g"ave  the 
rest  to  the  Swede. 

When  the  King-  of  the  Danes  heard  about  this,  he 
sent  for  the  soldier  and  had  him  tell  the  story  just 
as  it  was. 

“Why  did  you  spare  the  life  of  the  Swede  after 
he  tried  to  kill  you?”  asked  the  king-. 

“Because,  sir,”  said  the  soldier,  “I  could  never 
kill  a wounded  enemy.” 

“Then  you  deserve  to  be  a nobleman,”  said  the 
king-.  And  he  rewarded  him  by  making-  him  a knight 
and  giving-  him  a noble  title. — Famous  Stories  Betold. 

Because  He  is  my  Foe* 

During*  the  Revolutionary  war,  a leader  named 
Miller  was  grievously  insulted  by  a man  named  Wid- 
man,  who  was  afterwards  sentenced  to  be  hanged  as 
a British  spy.  Miller  went  to  (?eneral  Washington 
and  begged  for  Widman’s  life.  The  commander-in- 
chief replied: 

“I  should  like  to  release  Widman,  because  he  is 
your  friend;  but  I can  not,  even  for  that  considera- 
tion.” 

“Friend!”  cried  Miller,  “He  is  not  my  friend;  he 
is  only  my  enemy,  and  therefore  I want  to  save  him.” 

The  General  was  so  touched  that  he  pardoned  the 
man. 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers* 


WATCHFULNESS. 


I Did  Not  Understand. 


Because  I did  not  understand 
Her  little  ways, 

I let  life’s  best  slip  from  my  hand. 

In  the  old  days 

I did  not  understand. 

Her  subtleties  of  thought  and  speech, 
Her  finer  sense, 

Her  maiden-like  reserves,  seemed  each 
Cause  of  offence; 

But  I did  not  understand. 

Some  answer  to  her  wistful  gaze 
When  she  was  sad, 

A tender  word,  a little  praise, 

Had  made  her  glad, 

But  I did  not  understand. 

I failed  to  read  the  shy  regard 
That  lay  below 

Her  timid  eyes,  and  so  was  hard; 

I did  not  know; 

I did  not  understand. 

But  when  I saw  the  wonder  rise 
Of  love  that  grew 
And  deepened  in  her  dying  eyes, 

Oh!  then  I knew; 

Too  late  to  understand 


Glittering:  Gems  for  Willing:  "Workers. 


9 


The  elusive,  eager  soul  below 
That  look  sedate, 

The  passionate  tenderness,  I know 
Too  late,  too  late; 

Oh,  now  I understand! 

— Boston  Transcript . 

A Very  Busy  Man* 


It  is  said  that  a friend  once  asked  an  aged  man 
what  caused  him  so  often  to  complain  of  pain  and 
weariness  in  the  evening. 

“Alas  !”  said  he,  “I  have  every  day  so  much  to 
do;  for  I have  two  falcons  to  tame,  two  hares  to 
keep  from  running  away,  two  hawks  to  manage,  a 
serpent  to  confine,  a lion  to  chain,  and  a sick  man  to 
tend  and  wait  upon.” 

“Why,  you  must  be  joking,”  said  his  friend;  “sure- 
ly no  man  can  have  all  these  things  to  do  at  once.” 

“Indeed,  I am  not  joking,”  said  the  old  man;  “but 
what  I have  told  you  is  the  sad  and  sober  truth;  for 
the  two  falcons  are  my  two  eyes,  which  I must  dili- 
gently guard,  lest  something  should  please  them 
which  may  be  hurtful  to  my  salvation;  the  two  hares 
are  my  feet,  which  I must  hold  back  lest  they  should 
run  after  evil  objects,  and  walk  in  the  ways  of  sin, 
the  two  hawks  are  my  two  hands,  which  I must  train 
and  keep  to  work  in  order  that  I may  be  able  to  pro- 
vide for  myself  and  brethren  who  are  in  need;  the 
serpent  is  my  tongue,  which  I must  always  keep  in 
with  a bridle,  lest  it  should  speak  anything  unseemly; 
the  lion  is  my  heart,  with  which  I have  to  maintain 
a continual  fight  in  order  that  vanity  and  pride  may 


10 


Glittering;  Gems  for  Willing;  Workers. 


not  fill  it,  but  that  the  grace  of  God  may  dwell  and 
work  there;  the  sick  man  is  my  whole  body,  which  is 
always  needing  my  watchfulness  and  care.  All  this 
daily  wears  out  my  strength.” — British  Christian  En- 
deavor. 

Look  for  the  Cause* 

The  dumb  creatures  over  which  we  have  control 
have  no  means  of  letting  us  know  when  they  are 
troubled  or  annoyed  by  something  that  we  do  not 
notice.  For  that  reason,  we  should  be  very  careful 
how  we  punish  them  when  they  seem  to  us  obstinate 
or  disobedient. 

A milk  wagon  came  down  a city  street  one  hot 
summer  afternoon,  the  black  horse  that  was  draw- 
ing it  acting  in  a most  peculiar  manner.  He  would 
go  a few  steps  at  a jump,  then  stop  and  swing  half 
way  around,  tossing  his  head  frantically.  The  driver 
grew  angry,  leaned  out  of  his  wagon,  and  lashed 
the  horse  with  his  long  whip.  The  horse  sprang 
forward,  then  stopped  again  and  tried  to  wheel 
around. 

The  driver  stopped  before  a house  where  a young 
girl  sat  on  the  front  steps.  She  watched  the  horse 
attentively  while  the  driver  was  delivering  the  milk 
at  the  back  door.  When  he  came  back  the  restless 
horse  was  pawing  the  grass,  and,  thoroughly  exas- 
perated, he  seized  the  bridle  and  jerked  the  animal 
back  roughly.  The  young  girl  spoke  up  then  in  a 
gentle  voice. 

“I  believe  something  is  hurting  the  horse  on  his 
right  side,”  she  said.  “ Have  you  looked  to  see  ? ” 

“N-no,  I haven’t,”  the  driver  answered. 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


11 


He  looked  along-  the  horse’s  side,  then  whistled  in 
surprise  as  he  pulled  a small  thorn  from  a part  of 
the  harness. 

“Well,”  he  said,  “I  don’t  know  where  that  came 
from,  but  I don’t  wonder  it  made  you  restless,  old 
fellow.” 

He  patted  the  horse,  then  climbed  back  into  the 
wag-on,  and  the  creature  trotted  off  quietly  enough. 

When  a heathen  artist  was  asked  why  he  took  so 
much  pains  with  the  back  of  the  figures  he  was 
chiseling,  since  they  would  be  against  the  walls  and 
no  one  would  ever  see  them,  his  noble  answer  was, 
“The  gods  will  see  them.”  Always  we  are  working 
for  God’s  eye,  and  should  ever  do  our  best.  Not  only 
are  we  working  for  God’s  eye,  but  it  is  God’s  own 
work  we  are  doing.  Whether  we  are  carpenters, 
painters,  stone-cutters,  farmers,  teachers,  or  minis- 
ters, it  is  God’s  work  we  have  in  hand,  and  we  must 
do  our  best.  Old  Stradivarius  was  right  when  he 
said  that  if  his  hand  slacked,  he  would  rob  God.  We 
rob  God  whenever  we  do  anything  carelessly.  A 
writer  says:  “The  universe  is  not  quite  complete 
without  my  work  well  done.”  We  misrepresent  God 
and  disappoint  him  when  we  do  anything  in  a slov- 
enly way. — Wellspring. 

Won  With  a Word* 


I am  sometimes  startled  at  the  ease  with  which  a 
soul  can  be  won,  says  Bishop  McCabe.  And  I am 
often  humiliated  when  I think  of  the  many  times 


12 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


and  the  many  opportunities  in  my  life  which  I have 
wasted  and  not  used  for  the  winning-  of  souls  to 
Christ.  I want  to  illustrate  the  ease  with  which  a 
soul  can  be  won.  Not  very  long-  ago,  in  a strange 
city,  as  the  hackman  got  down  off  his  box  and  opened 
the  door  to  let  me  out,  I dropped  a quarter  in  his 
hand,  and  as  I did  so  I grasped  his  hand  and  said  to 
him,  ‘‘Good  night;  I hope  to  meet  you  again  in 
glory.” 

I had  often  done  that,  and  I thought  nothing  of  it 
in  this  case.  I went  into  the  house,  met  my  host, 
and  retired  to  my  room  for  the  night. 

About  midnight,  my  host  knocked  at  my  chamber 
door  and  said,  “Chaplain,  that  hackman  has  come 
back,  and  he  says  that  he  has  got  to  see  3^ou  tonight. 
I told  him  he  had  better  wait  until  morning,  but  he 
said,  ‘No,  sir,  I must  see  him  tonight,  and  I know 
that  he  will  be  willing  to  see  me.’” 

When  the  hackman  came  up,  a broad-shouldered, 
rough-looking  man  with  a great  whip  in  his  hand,  he 
stood  there  in  my  presence  with  the  tears  rolling 
down  his  cheeks  like  rain. 

Said  he:  “If  I meet  you  in  glory,  I have  got  to 
turn  around.  I have  come  to  ask  you  to  pray  with 
me.” 

What  a privilege  it  was  to  pray  with  that  man, 
what  a privilege  to  point  him  to  Jesus;  yet  I never 
saw  him  before  in  all  my  life.  There  are  10,000  men 
n this  country  that  have  not  had  an  invitation  to 
come  to  God  in  all  their  lives. 


Glittering  Gems  for  "Willing  Workers* 


13; 


SERVICE* 


Remorse* 

I killed  a robin.  The  little  thing, 

With  scarlet  breast  on  a glossy  wing, 

That  comes  in  the  apple  tree  to  sing. 

I flung  a stone  as  he  twittered  there, 

I only  meant  to  give  him  a scare, 

But  oft*  it  went  — and  hit  him  square. 

A little  flutter  — a little  cry  — 

Then  on  the  ground  I saw  him  lie, 

I didn’t  think  he  was  going  to  die. 

But  as  I watched  him  I soon  could  see 
He  never  would  sing  for  you  or  me 
Any  more  in  the  apple  tree. 

Never  more  in  the  morning  light, 

Never  more  in  the  sunshine  bright, 

Trilling  his  song  in  gay  delight. 

And  I’m  thinking  every  summer  day, 

How  neyer,  never  I can  repay 
The  little  life  that  I took  away. 

— Sydney  Dayre , in  Youth's  Companion . 

What  Puts  Music  into  the  Life* 

There  must  be  the  death  of  self  always  before  a 
life  can  be  Christlike.  In  Japan  they  have  a beauti- 


14 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


ful  legend  of  the  making  of  a wonderful  bell.  Long, 
long  ago  the  emperor  wrote  to  the  maker  of  bells, 
commanding  him  to  cast  a bell  larger  and  more 
beautiful  than  any  ever  made  before.  He  bade  him 
put  in  it  gold  and  silver  and  brass,  that  the  tones 
might  be  so  sweet  and  clear  that,  when  hung  in  the 
palace  tower,  its  sounds  might  be  heard  for  a hundred 
miles.  The  maker  of  bells  put  gold  and  silver  and 
brass  in  his  great  melting  pot,  but  the  metals  would 
not  mingle,  and  the  bell  was  a failure.  Again  and 
again  he  tried,  but  in  vain.  Then  the  emperor  was 
angry,  and  sent  saying  that  if  the  bell  was  not  made 
at  the  next  trial  the  bell-maker  must  die.  The  bell- 
maker  had  a lovely  daughter.  She  was  greatly  dis- 
tressed for  her  father.  Wrapping  her  mantle  about 
her,  she  went  by  night  to  the  oracle,  and  asked  how 
she  could  save  him.  He  told  her  that  gold  and  brass 
would  not  mingle  until  the  blood  of  a virgin  was 
mixed  with'  them  in  their  fusion.  Again  the  old 
maker  of  bells  prepared  to  cast  the  bell.  The 
daughter  stood  by,  and  at  the  moment  of  casting 
she  threw  herself  into  the  midst  of  the  molten  metal. 
The  bell  was  made,  and  was  found  to  be  more  wonder- 
ful and  perfect  than  any  other  ever  made.  It  hangs 
in  the  great  palace  tower,  and  its  sweet  tones  are 
heard  for  a hundred  miles.  The  blood  of  sacrifice, 
mingling  with  the  gold  and  silver,  gave  to  the  bell  a 
matchless  sweetness. 

It  is  only  a legend  from  a heathen  land,  but  its 
lesson  is  true.  Our  lives  make  no  music  until  self 
dies  and  our  blood  mingles  with  our  offering  in  the 
altar  fires  of  love.  It  is  only  when  we  lose  our  life 
for  Christ  that  we  get  it  back,  saved  and  glorious. — 
J.  B.  Miller , D.  D. 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


15 


Three  Legends* 


There  is  an  old  legend  that  long,  long  years  ago 
there  lived  a saint  so  good  that  the  astonished 
angels  came  down  from  heaven  to  see  how  a mortal 
could  be  so  godly.  He  simply  went  about  his  daily 
life,  diffusing  virtue  as  the  star  diffuses  light  and  the 
flower  perfume,  without  even  being  aware  of  it. 

Two  words  summed  up  his  day:  he  gave,  he  for- 
gave. Yet  these  words  never  fell  from  his  lips;  they 
were  expressed  in  his  ready  smile,  in  his  kindness, 
forbearance,  and  charity. 

The  angels  said  to  God:  “ O,  Lord,  grant  him  the 
gift  of  miracles!”  God  replied:  “I  consent;  ask 
him  what  he  wishes.” 

So  they  said  to  the  saint:  “Should  you  line  the 
touch  of  your  hands  to  heal  the  sick  ? ” 

“No,”  answered  the  saint,  “I  would  rather  God 
should  do  that.” 

“Should  you  like  to  convert  guilty  souls,  and 
bring  back  wandering  hearts  to  the  right  path?  ” 
“No;  that  is  the  mission  of  angels.  I pray,  Ido 
not  convert.” 

“ Should  you  like  to  become  a model  of  patience, 
attracting  men  by  the  lustre  of  your  virtues  and 
thus  glorifying  God  ? ” 

“No,”  replied  the  saint;  “If  men  should  be 
attached  to  me,  they  would  become  estranged  from 
God.  The  Lord  has  other  means  of  glorifying 
himself.” 

“What  do  you  desire,  then?”  cried  the  angels. 

“ What  can  I wish  for  ? ” asked  the  saint,  smiling. 
That  God  give  me  his  grace;  with  that  should  I not 
have  everything?” 


16 


Glittering  Gems  for  "Willing  Workers. 


But  the  angels  insisted:  “You  must  ask  for  a 
miracle,  or  one  will  be  forced  upon  you.” 

“Very  well,”  said  the  saint;  “that  I may  do  a 
great  deal  of  good  without  ever  knowing  it!” 

The  angels  were  greatly  perplexed.  They  took 
counsel  together,  and  resolved  upon  the  following 
plan:  Every  time  that  the  saint's  shadow  should  fall 
behind  him  or  at  either  side,  so  that  he  could  not  see 
it,  it  should  have  the  power  to  cure  disease,  soothe 
pain,  and  comfort  sorrow. 

And  so  it  came  to  pass.  When  the  saint  walked 
along,  his  shadow,  thrown  on  the  ground  on  either 
side  or  behind  him,  made  arid  paths  green,  caused 
withered  plants  to  bloom,  gave  clear  water  to  dried- 
up  brooks,  fresh  color  to  pale  children,  and  joy  to 
unhappy  mothers. 

But  the  saint  simply  went  about  his  daily  life, 
diffusing  virtue  as  the  star  diffuses  light  and  the 
flower  perfume,  without  ever  being  aware  of  it. 

Nothing  else  in  all  life  is  such  a maker  of  joy  and 
cheer  as  the  privilege  of  doing  good.  Kossuth  once 
said:  “ If  I had  to  choose  my  place  among  the  forces 
of  nature,  do  you  know  what  I would  choose  to  be  ? 
I would  be  the  dew  that  falls  silently  and  invisibly 
over  the  face  of  nature,  trampled  under  foot  and 
unconsidered,  but  perpetually  blessing  and  refreshing 
all  forms  of  life.” — Mary  B.  Myers,  in  Times-Herald . 

There  is  a legend  in  the  Greek  Church  about  her 
two  favored  saints  — St.  Cassianus,  the  type  of 
monastic  asceticism,  individual  character,  and  St. 
Nicholas,  the  type  of  genial,  active,  unselfish,  labori- 
ous Christianity. 

St.  Cassianus  enters  heaven,  and  Christ  says  to 
him: 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers, 


17 


“What  hast  thou  seen  on  earth,  Cassianus?” 

“I  saw,”  he  answered,  “a  peasant,  floundering 
with  his  wagon  in  a marsh.” 

“ Didst  thou  help  him  ? ” 

“No.” 

“Why  not?” 

“I  was  coming  before  thee,”  said  St.  Cassianus, 
“ and  I was  afraid  of  soiling  my  white  robes.” 

Then  St.  Nicholas  enters  heaven,  all  covered  with 
mud  and  mire. 

“Why  so  stained  and  soiled,  St.  Nicholas?”  said 
the  Lord. 

“I  saw  a peasant  floundering  in  the  marsh,”  said 
St.  Nicholas,  “ and  I put  my  shoulder  to  the  wheel 
and  helped  him  out.” 

“.Blessed  art  thou,”  answered  the  Lord;  “thou 
didst  better  than  Cassianus.” 

And  he  blessed  St.  Nicholas  with  fourfold  ap- 
proval. 

It  is  like  the  legend  of  one  who  saw  an  angel 
writing  in  a book  the  names  of  those  who  loved  the 
Lord,  and  he  said:  “I  pray  thee  have  my  name  writ- 
ten among  the  lovers  of  my  fellowmen.”  The  angel 
wrote,  and  vanished.  The  next  night  he  came  again 
with  a great  awakening  light,  and  showed  the  names 
of  those  whom  God  had  blessed;  and  lo,  this  man’s 
name  read  above  all  the  rest.  One  thing,  my  friend, 
is  certain  — the  more  truly  we  love  the  Lord,  the 
more  thoroughly  shall  we  love  and  serve  our  fellow- 
men. — Dean  Farrar . 

It  is  said  that  once  when  Sir  Michael  Costa  was 
having  a rehearsal  with  a vast  army  of  performers 
and  hundreds  of  voices,  as  the  mighty  chorus  rang 


18  Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 

out  with  thunder  of  the  organ,  and  the  roll  of  drums, 
and  ringing  horns  and  cymbals  clashing,  some  one 
man  who  played  the  piccolo  far  away  up  in  some 
corner,  said  within  himself,  ‘‘In  all  this  din  it  mat- 
ters not  what  I do;”  and  so  he  ceased  to  play.  Sud- 
denly the  great  conductor  stopped,  flung  up  his 
hands,  and  all  was  still  — and  then  he  cried  aloud, 
“ Where  is  the  piccolo  ! ” The  quick  ear  missed  it, 
and  all  was  spoiled  because  it  failed  to  take  its 
part.  O my  soul,  do  thy  part  with  all  thy  might ! 
Little  thou  mayest  be,  insignificant  and  hidden,  and 
yet  God  seeks  thy  praise.  He  listens  for  it,  and  all 
the  music  of  His  great  universe  is  made  richer  and 
sweeter  because  thou  givest  Him  thanks.  Bless  the 
Lord,  O my  soul. — Mark  Guy  Pearse. 

Service  has  eternal  life.  Deeds  never  die.  Men 
pass  away,  but  their  acts  live  forever.  The  only 
part  of  a life  that  endures  on  earth  after  the  flesh 
has  become  dust,  and  after  marble  monuments  have 
crumbled  into  decay,  is  that  part  which  has  been 
put  into  other  lives  through  deeds  of  loving  service. 
And  every  bit  of  ministration  done  in  lif£  will  be 
manifest  in  heaven.  Each  ‘‘cup  of  cold  water”  will 
help  swell  the  river  the  streams  whereof  shall  make 
glad  the  city  of  God. — Forward. 

Have  You  Saved  the  Man? 


A few  years  ago  a homeward  bound  vessel  was 
wrecked  on  the  coast  of  England.  The  life-boat 
was  launched,  and  away  the  men  went,  and  were  a 
long  while  at  sea.  Darkness  set  in  but  the  people 
on  the  coast  lighted  great  fires  so  that  the  life-boat 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  "Workers* 


19 


might  be  guided  on  its  return  to  shore.  After  awhile 
they  saw  it  returning,  and  a great  strong  man  of 
the  name  of  John  Holden,  who  was  on  the  coast, 
cried  aloud  to  the  captain  of  the  life-boat,  “ Hi ! hi ! 
have  you  saved  the  men  ? ” the  captain  answered, 

“ Ay,  ay,  I have  saved  the  men;”  and  all  hearts  were 
filled  with  gladness. 

But  when  they  reached  the  coast  it  was  found 
that  one  man  was  left  clinging  to  the  mast.  “ Why 
did  you  not  save  him  ? ” said  Holden.  “ Because  we 
were  exhausted,”  said  the  captain,  “and  we  should 
all  have  perished  if  we  had  remained  another  five 
minutes  attempting  to  save  one  man.”  “But  you 
will  go  back  to  the  rescue  ? ” They  said  they  had 
not  the  strength  the  storm  was  so  fierce. 

Holden  threw  himself  on  the  shingle,  and  lifted 
up  a prayer  to  God.  When  he  had  ceased  praying 
six  men  volunteered  to  accompany  him,  and  John 
Holden,  with  six  men,  were  preparing  to  start,  when 
the  good  old  mother  of  John  Holden  threw  her  arms 
around  his  neck  and  said: 

“John,  you  must  not  go.  What  can  I do  if  you 
perish?  Your  father  was  lost  at  sea,  and  it  is  just 
two  years  since  your  brother  William  left;  we  have  ' 
never  heard  a word  of  him  since.  No  doubt  he,  too, 
has  perished.  John,  what  shall  I do  if  you  perish  ?” 
John  said,  “ Mother,  God  has  put  it  into  my  heart 
to  go,  and  if  I perish  He  will  take  care  of  you.” 

And  away  he  went;  and  after  a while  the  life- 
boat returned. 

“ Hi ! hi ! John,  have  you  saved  the  man 
John  answered  in  a trumpet  voice,  “Yes,  we  have 
saved  the  man;  tell  my  mother  it  is  my  brother 
William  we  have  saved.”  There  is  a man  left 


20  Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 

unsaved  in  this  dark  stormy  world.  Will  you  try  to 
save  him?  It  may  prove  to  be  your  brother,  or 
mine.  Let  us  haste  to  the  rescue. — Sel. 

* 

“The  Foot  That  Rests.” 

When  we  were  in  Mexico  we  went  to  see  a potter 
at  his  work.  It  was  very  interesting'  to  watch  him 
take  the  handfuls  of  clay  and,  placing-  them  against 
his  wheel,  form  from  them  plates,  cups,  jars,  bowls 
and  other  bits  of  pottery.  All  the  while  he  was 
molding'  the  clay  his  foot  kept  moving'  up  and  down,  * 
turning  the  wheel.  How  fast  it  went!  -It  seemed 
never  to  stop,  never  to  take  a rest.  Whirr  ! went 
the  wheel,  and  back  and  forth  the  foot  — so  rapidly 
that  you  could  never  have  counted  the  movements 
it  made. 

“How  tired  your  foot  must  get ! said  one  of  our 
party,  pointing  to  the  foot  moving  so  rapidly. 

44  Oh,55  replied  the  potter,  44  it  is  not  the  foot  that 
works  that  gets  tired,  but  the  foot  that  rests.” 

How  quickly  the  truth  of  what  he  had  spoken 
took  hold  upon  us  ! In  a moment  we  remembered 
the  sensation  of  a sleepy  foot,  the  foot  that  has 
gone  into  a doze  from  standing  still,  through  having 
nothing  to  do. 

So  it  is  in  our  lives  of  church  work,  among  old 
and  young  alike.  It  is  not  the  workers  who  get 
tired,  but  the  shirkers,  those  who  stand  still.  How 
quickly  they  go  off  into  a doze  ! And  if  you  disturb 
them,  if  you  ask  for  a little  assistance  here,  and 
another  small  bit  there,  how  ready  they  are  with 
the  answer:  44 Oh,  I’m  so  tired  of  all  this  bother 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


21 


about  thing's  to  be  done  for  the  church.  It  seems 
there  is  no  end  to  them.  You  must  excuse  me.  I 
really  haven’t  the  time.” 

If  we  are  going-  to  get  tired,  let  us  do  so  from 
working  and  not  from  shirking.  That  is  the  mean- 
est kind  of  tired.  The  foot  that  rests  is  the  worst 
sort  of  a member.  Stir  it  up  and  give  it  something 
over  which  to  really  grow  tired. — A.  M.  Barnes , in 
Bp  worth  Bra. 

A Russian  Legend* 


A poor  shoemaker,  Martin  by  name,  had  a great 
longing  to  see  the  Lord  Jesus.  One  night  in  a dream 
he  received  the  promise  that  the  Savior  would  visit 
him  on  the  morrow.  Martin’s  dwelling  was  a cellar, 
and  his  work  bench  stood  beside  the  low  window, 
from  which  he  saw  nothing  but  the  feet  of  those 
who  passed  by.  As  was  his  custom,  he  rose  early, 
worked  at  his  trade,  ate  his  morning  meal,  and  said 
to  himself,  “ To-day  the  Lord  Jesus  will  visit  me.” 
Looking  up,  he  saw  a pair  of  shabby  feet  wearily 
dragging-  themselves  past  his  window.  Full  of  pity, 
he  went  out  and  found  a poor  woman.,  hungry  and 
homeless,  who  had  wandered  about  the  streets  all 
night  long,  carrying  a sick  baby  in  her  arms.  Mar- 
tin took  her  into  his  dwelling,  gave  her  the  remnant 
of  his  breakfast,  and  fed  the  child  with  milk.  When 
she  had  gone  he  again  sat  down  to  his  work,  hoping 
that  now  the  Lord  Jesus  would  soon  appear.  About 
noon  he  saw  another  pair  of  tired  feet  shuffling  past. 
Hurrying  out,  Martin  found  an  old  man,  who  had 
not  tasted  food  that  day.  He  invited  him  in  and 


99 


Glittering  Gems  for  "Willing  Workers. 


shared  his  midday  meal  with  the  hungry  guest. 
When  he  had  gone  Martin  thought  suddenly,  “The 
day  is  half  spent  and  the  Lord  Jesus  has  not  yet 
come.” 

Toward  evening  he  saw  more  feet  in  violent 
movement  hurriedly  flying  hither  and  thither,  and 
when  he  wenl  out  he  found  an  old  fruit  seller  and  a 
street  boy  in  a fierce  fight.  The  woman  clutching 
the  sleeve  of  the  boy’s  threadbare  jacket,  screamed, 
“ He  stole  my  apples  and  I will  beat  him  for  it ! ” 
Martin  made  peace  between  them,  and,  finding  that 
both  were  hungry,  he  took  them  home  and  shared 
his  supper  with  them. 

The  day  being  ended,  he  went  to  bed  with  a sad 
heart,  for  the  Lord  Jesus  had  not  visited  him,  as  it 
had  been  promised  him  in  his  dream. 

He  slept  and  again  he  dreamed:  and  behold  in 
his  dream  appeared  first  the  tired  woman  and  her 
sick  child:  she  looked  into  his  eyes  and  said,  “Mar- 
tin, dost  thou  know  me?  ” And  the  old  man  came, 
and  the  fruit  seller,  each  asking,  “ Martin,  dost  thou 
know  me?”  Then  Martin  understood,  and  he  remem- 
bered the  words,  “Inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it  unto 
one  of  the  least  of  these,  my  brethren,  ye  have  done 
it  unto  me.” — Northwestern  Christian  Advocate. 

You  Never  Will  Be  Sorry* 


You  never  will  be  sorry  for  serving  the  Lord;  you 
may  be  sorry  for  almost  everything  else.  Says 
Joseph  Berry: 

“There  are  men  and  women  who  declare  their 
regret  at  almost  every  step  in  life  they  have  taken. 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


23 


I could  find  married  people  who  tell  you  they  wished 
they  had  never  been  married,  and  single  people  who 
tell  you  they  wished  they  had;  I could  find  you  car- 
penters who  would  say,  ‘ The  worst  trade  you  could 
put  your  boy  at  is  a carpenter’s,’  and  doctors  would 
say,  ‘Better  be  a chimney-sweep  than  a doctor;’  and 
I could  find  a chimney-sweep  who  would  say,  ‘ Better 
be  anything  else  than  a chimney-sweep;  mine  is  the 
dirtiest  trade  going.’  Now  I am  going  to  throw 
out  a challenge:  Will  some  one  find  me  a person  who 
will  say,  ‘ I wish  I had  never  loved  Christ  ? ’ Blessed 
be  God,  you  can’t  do  it;  the  consecrated  life  bears 
the  test  of  experience.  He  saved  me  when  I was  a 
lad,  and  I began  to  preach  the  gospel  when  I was 
sixteen.  He  is  the  friend  who  has  never  failed  me, 
who  has  never  left  me,  who  has  come  close  in  trouble 
and  been  nearest  and  dearest  to  me  when  I needed 
him  most.” — The  Christian . 

Two  Confessions* 

A sailor,  who  had  become  a Christian  when  in 
port,  when  he  went  to  sea  again  had  a placard  pre- 
pared and  nailed  up  on  his  bunk  bearing  these  words: 
“I  am  a Christian;  are  you?”  with  his  name.  He 
said  he  must  at  once  and  boldly  confess  his  new 
loyalty. 

Miss  Havergal  tells  of  entering  a school  in  Dus- 
seldorf,  just  after  she  had  become  a Christian. 
There  were  a hundred  girls  in  the  school,  and  she 
found  she  was  the  only  professing  Christian.  Her 
first  thought  was  that  she  could  not  confess  Christ 
there;  her  second  thought,  however,  was  that  she 


24 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


could  not  but  confess  him,  since  she  was  the  only  one 
there  to  represent  him. — Bev.  J.  B.  Miller , D.  D. 

The  Substsitute  Violinist. 

A soldier,  worn  out  in  his  country’s  service,  took 
to  playing-  the  violin  as  a mode  of  earning-  his  living-. 
He  was  found  thus  in  the  streets  of  Vienna.  But 
after  a time  his  hand  became  feeble  and  tremulous, 
and  he  could  no  more  make  music. 

One  day,  while  he  sat  there  sadly,  a man  passed 
along-  and  said,  “My  friend,  you  are  too  old  and 
feeble;  give  me  your  violin  ” ; and  he  took  the  man’s 
instrument  and  began  to  discourse  most  exquisite 
music.  The  people  gathered  round  in  large  num- 
bers; and  the  old  man  held  his  hat,  and  the  coin 
poured  in  until  it  was  nearly  full. 

“Now,”  said  the  stranger,  “ put  that  coin  in  your 
pockets.”  The  old  soldier  did  so;  then  he  held  his 
hat  again,  and  the  violinist  played  more  sweetly 
than  ever,  and  again  the  hat  was  filled  with  coin. 

Then  the  violinist  gave  back  the  instrument,  and 
departed;  and  the  whisper  went  around,  “Who  can 
that  be?”  Some  one  just  entering-  the  crowd  said? 
“Why,  that  is  Bucher,  the  great  violinist,  who  is 
known  over  all  the  kingdom.” 

The  fact  was,  he  had  taken  that  man’s  place,  and 
assumed  his  poverty,  and  endured  his  disgrace,  and 
played  his  music,  and  earned  his  livelihood,  and  made 
sacrifice  for  him.  So  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  comes 
down,  and  he  finds  us  in  our  spiritual  penury,  and 
across  the  strings  of  his  own  broken  heart  he  strikes 
a strain  of  music  which  wins  the  attention  of  earth 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Worker?. 


25 


and  heaven.  He  takes  our  poverty.  He  plays  our 
music.  He  dies  our  death. 

Christ's  Mission  Our  Mission* 


Jesus  has  given  up  the  clean  heaven,  and  walked 
here  and  lived  among  dirt  and  poverty,  in  solitude, 
misunderstood,  without  one  intelligent  friend;  he 
has  borne  the  scorn  of  men;  he  has  been  put  to  the 
horrible  and  shameful  death  of  the  cross,  all  to  save 
us  and  others. 

tv^b  trust  him,  he  saves  us;  and  all  he  asks  is  that 
we  should  tell  men  about  what  he  has  done;  shall 
Christ  look  to  us  in  vain  to  declare  simply  what 
he  has  done  ? Perish  the  thought ! Whatever  may 
be  between  us  and  speaking  to  men,  let  us  go  through 
it.  If  it  be  a foreign  language,  remember  Christ 
lived  thirty  years  in  preparation.  If  it  be  hardship, 
cold,  poor  food,  scorn,  slight,  deaf  ears  — never 
mind,  go  ahead.  Christ  has  gone  through  it  all. 
Trouble,  hardship,  trial,  suffering, — all  will  soon 
pass  and  be  done. — From  James  Gilmour's  Letters. 

Making  a Virtue  of  Necessity* 

A child  was  told  to  bring  her  father’s  slippers, 
but  she  didn’t  want  to  leave  her  play.  At  length 
she  went  for  them  very  unwillingly,  and  returned 
without  a smile,  saying:  “I’s  bwinged  ’em,  papa, 
but  I guess  you  needn’t  say,  ‘Thank  you,’  ’cause  I 
only  did  it  with  my  hands;  my  heart  kept  saying 
‘won’t.’”  That  is  about  the  only  way  some  people 
obey  God. 


26 


Glittering  Gems  for  "Willing  Workers, 


An  Unexpected  Inheritance* 


An  announcement  in  the  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  papers 
reads  almost  like  a romance.  It  states  that  a 
wealthy  farmer  at  Holdbrook,  L.  I.,  who  died  a few 
weeks  ago,  has  left  the  whole  of  his  property  to  a 
poor  tailor  at  Patchogue.  Last  year,  the. tailor 
witnessed  a runaway  accident.  Some  man  was 
thrown  out  of  a wagon,  and  was  lying  unconscious 
in  the  road  at  Patchogue.  The  tailor  joined  the 
crowd  around  the  prostrate  man,  and  as  no  one 
seemed  disposed  to  do  anything  for  him,  the  tailor 
had  him  carried  to  his  home  and  cared  for  him  until 
he  recovered.  The  tailor  thought  lightly  of  his 
service,  but  the  injured  man  was  very  grateful.  He 
said  he  was  a farmer  and  should  bring  some  farm 
produce  as  a present  to  the  man  who  had  been 
kind  to  him.  Since  that  time  the  farmer’s  wagon 
has  stopped  every  week  at  the  tailor’s  door  o#n  the 
way  to  market,  and  has  left  some  small  delicacy  for 
him.  The  farmer,  too,  paid  him  an  occasional  visit, 
and  the  two  became  warm  friends.  The  tailor  was 
shocked  early  last  month  at  receiving  a notice  of 
his  friend’s  death.  He  was  still  more  surprised 
when  he  was  notified  that  the  farmer  had  made  him 
his  heir  and  that  he  was  the  owner  of  a farm  sup- 
posed to  be  worth  many  thousands  of  dollars.  The 
people  who  were  in  the  crowd  that  day  of  the  acci- 
dent doubtless  thought  regretfully,  when  they  heard 
of  the  tailor’s  good  fortune,  that  it  might  have  been 
theirs  if  they  had  been  kind  to  the  injured  man. 
But  their  regret  is  small  compared  with  that  which 
will  be  felt  at  the  last  day  when  Christ  gives  an 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers.  27 

eternal  inheritance  to  those  who  in  life  succored  the 
poor  and  afflicted  in  his  name. 

Then  shall  the  King  say  . . . Come  ye  blessed  of  my  Father, 
inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  for  you,  etc.  (Matt.  25:  34-40.) 


Rest,  But  Do  Not  Loiter* 

The  junction  of  Fleet  Street  and  Farringdon 
Street  at  the  foot  of  Ludgate  Hill,  is  one  of  the 
most  crowded  thoroughfares  of  London.  Two  tides 
of  travel  meet  there,  the  one  pouring  towards  the 
Bank  of  England  and  the  commercial  quarters,  the 
Surrey  side  of  the  Thames,  and  the  other  pouring 
towards  Blackfriars  Bridge. 

In  the  center  of  that  junction,  between  two  lamp- 
posts,  there  used  to  be  a solid  oaken  bench  or  ‘ ‘settle,  ” 
with  a high  back,  and  on  that  back  was  the  inscrip- 
tion, “Rest,  but  do  not  loiter.”  On  that  bench 
thousands  of  people  in  the  course  of  every  day  used 
to  rest  their  weary  limbs. 

Like  that  poor  man’s  bench  in  seething  London^ 
stands  the  unrepealed  ordinance  of  the  Sabbath, 
and  over  its  blessed  portal  is  written,  “Rest,  but  do 
not  lounge  or  loiter.” — T.  L.  Cuyler. 


Woe  Unto  You  Also* 

Each  has  his  own  way  of  proclaiming  himslf  a 
child  of  grace  and  of  God.  When  that  massive 
bell,  the  greatest  in  Britain,  was  working  its  tedious 
way  across  the  country  on  its  journey  to  London, 
“Great  Paul,”  going  up  into  the  belfry  of  the 
cathedral  above  the  dome,  as  if  into  a pulpit  five 


28 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


hundred  feet  high,  so  as  to  be  heard  when  it  should 
use  its  tongue  in  thrilling  millions  of  people,  every- 
one was  touched  to  the  heart  to  find  deeply  engraven 
on  the  side  of  the  mammoth  mouth  this  motto, 
like  a sort  of  ordination  vow;  “ Vae  mihi  si  non 
evangelizavero .”  It  was  going  to  do  its  best.  “Woe 
is  unto  me  if  I preach  not  the  gospel.” — Anon. 


Have  You  Brave  Legs? 


We  must  confess  Christ.  Some  of  us  mean  well, 
but  a false  discretion  overtakes  us.  We  are  not 
unlike  that  soldier  who  was  always  discovered,  in 
the  shock  of  battle,  betaking  himself,  without 
orders, *to  safe  places.  The  captain  at  last  accused 
him  of  having  a cowardly  heart. 

“Oh,”  said  the  soldier,  “my  heart  is  as  brave 
as  can  be,  but  whenever  danger  comes  I have  a 
cowardly  pair  of  legs  that  run  off  with  my  brave 
heart.” 

Many  of  us  are  like  that.  Our  convictions  are 
right  when  confession  is  not  needed,  but  in  the 
shock  of  battle  we  fail. — John  McNeil. 

^r 

He  Risked  Nothing* 

“Fire!  Fire!”  shouted  a man,  as  he  heard  the 
first  clashing  peal  of  the  alarm  bell;  “Fire  ! Fire  ! ” 
was  echoed  by  a hundred  voices,  as  men  and  boys 
rushed  to  the  scene. 

“Let  us  offer  our  assistance,”  said  one  of  two 
travelers  passing  through  the  town. 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


29 


“Why  should  we  tarry  here?”  asked  the  other. 
“Are  there  not  hands  enough  to  help?”  But  the 
first  was  already  running  toward  the  burning  house. 

“ My  children!  my  children!  ” cried  a woman  wild 
with  terror  and  anguish. 

The  stranger  rushed  into  the  burning  house,  the 
beams  and  rafters  crashing,  the  flames  hissing 
around  him. 

“He  is  lost!”  exclaimed  the  people;  “what  mad- 
ness in  him  to  venture  into  such  a fiery  furnace!  ” 

But  in  a little  while  he  came  forth,  his  hair  and 
clothes  singed,  bearing  two  children  in  his  arms. 
He  gave  them  to  the  distracted  mother,  who  clasped 
them  frantically  and  fell  at  his  feet.  In  the  mean- 
time the  house  fell. 

“Who  bade  thee  undertake  such  a daring  enter- 
prise? ” asked  his  companion  who  had  been  waiting 
for  him. 

“He  who  bids  me  put  the  grain  of  seed  into  the 
earth,”  replied  the  first,  “that  it  may  die  and  bring 
forth  new  fruit.” 

“But  how  would  it  have  been,”  inquired  the 
other,  “if  the  burning  house  had  buried  thee?” 

“In  that  event,”  replied  the  first  smiling,  “I 
should  have  been  the  buried  seed.” — The  Common- 
wealth, 

Hefs  Helping  Somewhere* 

“Is  your  father  at  home?”  I asked  a small  child  on 
our  village  doctor’s  doorstep. 

“No,”  he  said,  “he’s  away.” 

“Where  do  you  think  I could  find  him?” 

“Well,  he  said,  with  a considerate  air,  “you’ve 


30 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


^ot  to  look  for  some  place  where  people  are  sick  or 
hurt,  or  something”  like  that.  I don’t  know  where  he 
is,  but  he's  helping”  somewhere.” 

And  I turned  away  with  this  little  sermon  in  my 
heart.  If  you  want  to  find  the  Lord  Jesus  you’ve 
g”ot  to  set  out  on  a path  of  helping”  somewhere,  of 
lifting”  somebody’s  burden,  and  lo!  straightway  one 
like  unto  the  Son  of  man  will  be  found  at  your  side. 

^r 

Trained  for  Service* 


Effective,  valuable  service  is  not  rendered  by  good 
intentions  and  a kind  disposition,  but  by  thorough 
preparation. 

Two  brave  boys  in  South  Chicago  saw  a small  sail- 
boat capsized  in  the  lake  by  a sudden  squall.  The 
occupants  of  the  craft,  two  other  boys  of  about  the 
same  age,  were  seen  to  be  clinging  to  the  upturned 
boat.  Several  men  and  boys  also  saw  the  accident, 
but  seemed  either  unwilling  or  powerless  to  help. 

These  young  heroes  pushed  out  a little  boat,  and 
made  for  the  disabled  craft,  and,  after  much  hard 
pulling  and  careful  management  of  the  boat  in  the 
breakers,  got  to  the  exhausted  and  sinking  lads. 
Amid  the  cheers  of  the  people  on  shore  they  at  last 
got  them  safely  on  board,  and  brought  them  to  3 and. 

On  inquiry  it  was  found  that  the  two  brave  res- 
cuers were  expert  boatsmen  and  swimmers,  and  their 
heroic  deed  was  made  possible  only  because  they 
were  fitted  for  it.  It  was  ability  to  manage  the  boat 
as  well  as  courage  to  face  danger,  that  made  them 
helpers  as  well  as  heroes. — David  Beaton • 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


31 


Captain  Philips'  Prayer-meeting  on  the  Texas  as 
Told  by  Him* 

44  Well,  it  was  this  way.  I — that  is  — it  was  — 
there,  if  you  drop  your  hat  on  the  street  and  some 
one  picks  it  up  for  you,  you  say,  ’Thank  you,’  or  if 
you  fall  down  on  the  street  and  some  one  helps  you 
up,  you  always  say,  Thanks.’  There  was  that  boat, 
with  a storm  of  iron  and  shot  going-  on  one  side  and 
then  on  the  other.  Then  they  would  fall  in  the 
water  all  around  us,  and  then  there  would  be  a per- 
fect cloud  of  them  pass  over  our  heads,  and  yet  we 
were  not  struck.  When  the  fight  was  over  and  I had 
made  a hasty  inventory  and  found  that  we  were  not 
hurt,  it  seemed  to  me  no  more  than  fair  that  we 
should  say  ‘Thank  you,’  so  I had  the  crew  called  on 
deck  and  told  them  so.  Every  man  took  off  his  cap, 
and  you  could  have  heard  a pin  drop  on  that  deck, 
and  after  it  was  over  and  I walked  past  that  crew,  I 
saw  tears  on  the  faces  of  many  an  old  sailor  that  I 
supposed  did  not  know  how  to  cry.” 

Sympathy  and  Succor* 

Abraham  Lincoln,  during  the  war,  frequently 
visited  the  hospitals  and  addressed  cheering  words 
to  the  wounded  warriors.  On  one  occasion  he  found 
a young  fellow  whose  legs  had  been  amputated,  and 
who  was  evidently  sinking  fast.  “ Is  there  anything 
I can  do  for  you?”  asked  Lincoln.  “You  might 
write  a letter  to  my  mother,”  was  the  faint  reply. 
The  President  wrote  at  the  youth’s  dictation:  “My 
dearest  mother,  I have  been  shot  bad;  but  am  bear- 


32 


Glittering  Cems  for  Willing  Workers. 


ing  up;  I tried  to  do  my  duty.  They  tell  me  I can 
not  recover.  God  bless  you  and  father!  Kiss  Mary 
and  John  for  me.”  At  the  end  came  these  words  as 
postscript:  “This  letter  was  written  by  Abraham 
Lincoln.”  When  the  boy  perused  the  epistle,  and 
saw  those  added  words,  he  looked  with  astonished 
gaze  at  the  visitor,  and  asked,  “Are  you  our  Presi- 
dent?” “Yes,”  was  the  quiet  answer;  “and  now 
you  know  that,  is  there  anything  else  I can  do  for 
you?  ” Feebly  the  lad  said,  “ I guess  you  might  hold 
my  hand  and  see  me  through.”  So  sitting  down  at 
the  bedside,  the  tall,  gaunt  man,  with  a heart  as  ten- 
der as  a woman’s,  held  the  soldier’s  hand — through 
the  night — till  it  grew  cold  and  rigid  in  death.  With 
us,  is  it  not  a delightful  truth  that  Christ,  the  great- 
est of  all  kings,  in  *>ur  afflictions  is  afflicted,  and 
that  he  can  “be  touched  with  the  feeling  of  our  in- 
firmities?” When  the  sorrows  of  life  overwhelm  us, 
when  the  cradle  is  empty,  or  the  home  desolate,  when 
the  mind  is  distraught,  or  the  heart  bursting  with 
grief,  we  may  “go  and  tell  Jesus.”  In  every  redhot 
furnace  of  pain,  and  bending  tenderly  over  every 
dying  couch,  stands  one  whose  “form  is  like  the  Son 
of  God.” — Eev.  E.  G.  Gauge. 

Fifteen  Minutes  in  Heaven, 

A certain  minister  preached  one  Sunday  on 
heaven.  The  next  morning  he  was  met  by  one  of  his 
wealthy  members,  who  said:  “Pastor,  you  preached 
a good  sermon  about  heaven.  You  told  me  all  about 
heaven.  But  you  did  not  tell  me  where  heaven  is.” 

“Ah,”  said  the  pastor,  “I  am  glad  of  the  opportq- 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


33 


nity  this  morning-.  I have  just  come  from  the  hill- 
top yonder.  In  that  cottage  there  is  a member  of 
our  church  who  is  extremely  poor;  she  is  sick  in  bed 
with  a fever.  If  you  will  go  down  town  and  buy  fifty 
dollars  worth  of  provisions  for  her,  and  then  go  up 
there  and  say,  ‘My  sister,  I have  brought  these  pro- 
visions in  the  name  of  our  Lord  and  Savior;’  if  you 
ask  for  a Bible  and  read  Psalm  23,  and  then  get  down 
on  your  knees  and  pray,  if  you  don’t  see  heaven  be- 
fore you  get  through,  I’ll  pay  the  bill.” 

The  next  morning  the  man  said,  “Pastor,  I saw 
heaven,  and  I spent  fifteen  minutes  in  heaven,  as 
certainly  as  you  are  listening.” 

Hearing,  Coming,  Tasting* 


A missionary  in  India  wishing  to  gather  a Sunday- 
school  of  the  wretched  coolies  thronging  the  streets, 
took  the  only  means  to  secure  attendance  the  first 
time,  and  ottered  a small  portion  of  rice  to  each  who 
would  come  early  on  Sabbath  morning.  Her  servant 
proclaimed  the  invitation  and  the  inducement  up 
and  down  the  streets  on  Saturday.  Hundreds  heard, 
but  only  one  man  accepted.  He  had  his  simple  les- 
son alone,  and  his  handful  of  rice. 

The  next  Saturday  this  man  was  engaged  to  give 
the  invitation,  and  on  the  following  morning  the 
compound  was  crowded.  The  reason  is  clear:  this 
man  had  an  influence  with  the  poor  coolies  that  no 
one  else  had.  He  was  one  of  them,  and  he  had  done 
what  he  invited  them  to  do.  He  had  proved  that  the 
offer  was  sincere,  and  from  his  own  experience  he 
bade  others  come. 


34 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


“Let  him  that  heareth,  say  ‘Come,’  ” but  let  him 
that  has  tasted  of  the  feast  of  Jesus’  love  himself 
be  sure  that  his  invitation  will  have  the  greater 
weight  with  those  whom  he  calls,  in  Christ’s  name, 
to  come  to  the  Master. 

First  do  it,  Then  Talk  It. 

A chaplain  in  the  army  during  the  war  was  pass- 
ing over  the  field,  when  he  saw  a wounded  soldier 
lying  upon  the  ground.  He  had  his  Bible  under  his 
arm,  and  he  stooped  down  and  said  to  the  man, 
“Would  you  like  me  to  read  }tou  something  from  the 
Bible?” 

The  wounded  man  said,  “I  am  so  thirsty,  I would 
rather  have  a drink  of  water.” 

The  chaplain  hurried  off,  and  as  quickly  as  possi- 
ble brought  the  water.  After  the  man  had  drank 
the  water  he  said,  “Could  3rou  lift  my  head  and  put 
something  under  it?” 

The  chaplain  removed  his  light  overcoat,  rolled  it 
up,  and,  tenderly  lifting  the  head,  put  it  as  a pillow 
for  the  tired  head  to  rest  on. 

“Now,”  said  the  man,  “if  I only  had  something 
over  me.  I am  so  cold!” 

There  was  only  one  thing  that  the  chaplain  could 
do,  and  that  was  to  take  his  coat  off  and  cover  the 
man.  As  he  uid  so  the  wounded  man  looked  up  in  his 
face  and  said,  “For  God's  sake,  if  there  is  anything 
in  that  Book  that  makes  a man  do  for  another  what 
you  have  done  for  me,  let  me  hear  it.” 

There  is  a world  of  meaning  in  this  incident.  The 
need  of  to-d  ay  is  the  acting  of  the  object-lessons  that 
Book  teaches. — The  Christian  Intelligencer. 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


35 


Do  You  Know? 


A poor  little  street-girl  was  taken  sick  one  Christ- 
mas and  carried  to  a hospital.  While  there  she 
heard  the  story  of  Jesus’  coming  into  the  world  to 
save  us.  It  was  all  new  to  her,  but  very  precious. 
She  could  apreciate  such  a wonderful  Savior,  and 
the  knowledge  made  her  very  happy  as  she  lay  upon 
her  little  cot.  One  day  the  nurse  came  around  at 
the  usual  hour,  and  “Little  Broomstick”  (that  was 
her  street  name)  held  her  by  the  hand,  and  whis- 
pered: “I’m  having  real  good  times  here — ever  such 
good  times!  S’pose  I shall  have  to  go  away  from 
here  just  as  soon  as  I get  well;  but  I’ll  take  the  good 
time  along — some  of  it,  anyhow.  Did  you  know 
’bout  Jesus  bein’  born?” 

“Yes,”  replied  the  nurse,  “I  know.  Sh-sh-sh! 
Don’t  talk  any  more.” 

“You  did?  I thought  you  looked  as  if  you  did’nt, 
and  I was  goin’  to  tell  you.” 

“Why,  how  did  I look?”  asked  the  nurse,  forget- 
ting her  own  orders  in  curiosity. 

“O,  just  like  most  o’  folks  — kind  o’  glum.  I 
shouldn’t  think  you'd  ever  look  gloomy  if  you  knowed 
’bout  Jesus  bein’  born.” 

Dear  reader,  do  you  know  “’bout  Jesus  bein’ 
born?” — Faithful  Witness . 

sag 

I Like  to  Help  People, 


A woman  was  walking  along  a street  one  winter 
day,  when  the  rain  began  to  come  down.  She  had 
an  umbrella,  but  her  hands  were  full  of  parcels,  and 


36 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


it  was  difficult  for  her  to  raise  it  in  that  wind. 

•‘Let  me,  ma'am,  let  me,  please!”  said  a bright 
faced  boy,  taking  the  umbrella  in  his  hands. 

The  astonished  woman  looked  on  with  satisfac- 
tion, while  he  managed  to  raise  the  rather  obstinate 
umbrella.  Then  taking  out  one  of  those  ever  handy 
strings  which  boys  carry,  he  tied  all  the  parcels 
snugly  into  one  bundle,  and  politely  handed  it  back 
to  her. 

“Thank  you  very  much,”  she  said,  “You  are  very 
polite  to  do  so  much  for  a stranger.” 

“Oh,  it  is  no  trouble,  ma’am!”  he  said,  with  a 
smile.  “I  like  to  help  people.” 

Both  went  their  ways  with  a happy  feeling  in  the 
heart:  for  such  little  deeds  of  kindness  are  like  sweet 
smelling  roses  blossoming  along  the  path  of  life. 

On  The  Witness-Stand* 


That  is  a good  driver  who  manages  to  get  every 
horse  in  the  team  to  pull  his  part  of  the  load.  Mr. 
Moody  recently  told  his  Northfield  audience  how  a 
minister  succeeded  in  getting  one  of  his  “dummy” 
church-members  to  pull  in  the  gospel  harness. 

“I  am  going  out  to  a schoolhouse  to  preach,”  he 
said  to  the  judge,  “and  I want  you  to  drive  me  out.” 
The  judge  replied  that  he  would  be  glad  to  do  it. 
On  the  way  out,  the  minister  remarked,  “Judge, 
I am  going  to  ask  you  to  speak.” 

“O  no,”  quickly  spoke  up  the  judge,  “I  couldn’t 
do  that.” 

Said  the  minister:  “I  was  in  court  the  other  day, 
and  you  gave  a charge  to  the  jury,  and  I never  heard 


37 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 

anjThing  much  more  impressive.  Now  I would  like 
you  to  give  a charge  to  this  jury.” 

“I’ve  never  done  that.  I couldn’t  do  that.” 

The  minister  had  tact,  so  he  got  into  the  pulpit 
and  read  the  Scripture  and  prayed.  Then  he  said, 
“Now  I am  going  to  put  the  judge  on  the  witness- 
stand  and  examine  him.” 

Then  he  began  to  ask  the  judge  questions,  and 
from  answering  and  explaining  the  judge  soon  got 
to  preaching,  and  never  thought  about  his  timidity 
until  he  had  finished  a sermon. 


A Sermon  in  Two  Words* 


“Oh,  if  I were  lucky  enough  to  call  this  estate 
mine  I would  be  a happy  fellow,”  said  a young  man. 

“And  then?”  said  a friend. 

“Why,  then,  I’d  pull  down  the  old  house  and  build 
a palace,  have  lots  of  prime  fellows  about  me,  keep 
the  best  wines  and  the  finest  horses  and  dogs  in  the 
country.” 

“And  then?” 

“Then  I’d  hunt,  and  ride,  and  smoke,  and  drink, 
and  dance,  and  keep  open  house,  and  enjoy  life 
gloriously.” 

“And  then?” 

“Why  then,  I suppose,  like  other  people,  I should 
grow  old  and  not  care  so  much  for  these  things.” 

“And  then?” 

“Why,  then,  I suppose,  in  the  course  of  nature,  I 
should  leave  all  these  pleasant  things  and — well — 
yes — die!” 

“And  then?” 


38 


Glittering  Cems  for  Willing  Workers. 


“Oh,  bother  your  ‘thens!’  I must  be  off.” 

Many  years  after  the  friend  was  accosted  with: 

“God  bless  you!  I owe  my  happiness  to  you.” 

“How?” 

“By  two  words  spoken  in  season  long-ago:  ‘And 
then.’” — The  Quiver. 

* 

The  Wonderful  Secret* 

Once  upon  a time  there  was  a king  who  had  a lit- 
tle boy  whom  he  loved  very  much.  So  he  took  a 
great  deal  of  pains  to  make  him  happy. 

He  gave  him  beautiful  rooms  to  live  in,  and  pict- 
ures and  toys  and  books  without  number.  He  gave 
him  a graceful  pony,  that  he  might  ride  when  he 
pleased  and  a row-boat  on  a lovely  lake,  and  servants 
to  wait  upon  him  whenever  he  went. 

But  for  this  the  young  prince  was  not  happy. 

At  length  one  day  a magician  came  to  the  court. 

He  saw  the  scowl  on  the  boy’s  face  and  said  to  the 
king. 

“I  can  make  your  son  happy  and  turn  his  frowns 
into  smiles.  But  you  must  pay  me  a great  price  for 
telling  him  the  secret.” 

“All  right,”  said  the  king,  “whatever  you  ask  I 
will  give.” 

So  the  price  was  agreed  upon  and  paid  and  then 
the  magician  took  the  boy  into  a private  room.  He 
wrote  something  with  a substance  upon  a piece  of 
paper.  Next  he  gave  the  boy  a candle  and  told  him 
to  light  it  and  hold  it  under  the  paper  and  then  see 
what  he  could  read.  Then  he  went  away. 

The  boy  did  as  he  had  been  told,  and  the  white 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


39 


letters  on  the  paper  turned  into  a beautiful  blue. 
They  formed  these  words. 

“Do  a kindness  to  some  one  every  day.” 

The  prince  made  use  of  the  secret  and  he  became 
the  happiest  boy  in  the  realm. 

The  Bridge  Was  Done* 


Spurgeon  was  fond  of  this  story,  taken  from  our 
Civil  War. 

Once  when  the  Union  soldiers  were  retreating 
from  the  valley  of  Virginia,  they  burnt  a bridge 
over  the  Shenandoah.  Stonewall  Jackson,  who 
wanted  to  pursue  them,  sent  for  his  old  bridge-buil- 
der.  “Sir,”  he  said,  “you  must  keep  men  at  work  all 
day  and  all  nigiit,  and  finish  that  bridg-e  by  to-mor- 
row morning*.  My  engineer  shall  give  you  a plan.” 
Old  Miles  saluted  and  withdrew. 

Early  the  next  morning-  the  g-eneral  sent  for  Miles 
ag-ain.  “Well,  sir,”  said  Jackson,  “did  the  engineer 
give  you  the  plan  for  the  bridge?” 

“General,”  said  the  old  man  slowly,  “the  bridge 
is  done;  I don’t  know  whether  the  picture  is  or  not!” 
“Now, that  is  the  kind  of  bridge-builders,”  Mr.  Spur- 
geon said,  “we  want  in  the  church;  men  to  go  right 
ahead  with  their  own  work,  no  matter  what  their 
neighbors  are  doing.” 


40 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


KEEPING  THE  SABBATH. 


BY  THE  BISHOP  OF  EXETER. 


Give  Us  Men. 

> 

Give  us  men ! 

Men  from  every  rank, 

Fresh  and  free  and  frank, 

Men  of  thought  and  reading-, 

Men  of  lig-ht  and  leading-, 

Men  of  royal  breeding-, 

Nation’s  welfare  speeding; 

Men  of  faith  and  not  of  faction, 

Men  of  lofty  aim  to  action; 

Give  us  men — I say  again, 

Give  us  men ! 

Give  us  men  1 
Strong  and  stalwart  ones  ! 

Men  whom  highest  hope  inspires, 

Men  whom  purest  honor  fires, 

Men  who  trample  self  beneath  them, 

Men  who  make  the  country  wreathe  them 
As  her  noble  sons, 

Worthy  of  their  sires  ! 

Men  who  never  shame  their  mothers, 

Men  who  never  fail  their  brothers, 

True,  however  faise  are  others, 

Give  us  men — I say  again, 

Give  us  men  ! 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


41 


Give  us  men  ! 

Men  who,  when  the  tempest  gathers, 
Grasp  the  standard  of  their  fathers 
In  the  thickest  fight; 

Men  who  strike  for  homes  and  altar 
(Let  the  coward  cringe  and  falter); 

God  defend  the  right! 

True  as  truth,  though  lorn  and  lonely, 
Tender — as  the  brave  are  only; 

Men  who  tread  where  saints  have  trod, 
Men  for  Country — Right — and  God, 
Give  us  men — I say  again, 

Give  us  men  ! 

vs 

The  Millionaire  and  His  Clerk* 


Girard,  the  infidel  millionaire  of  Philadelphia, 
one  Saturday  ordered  all  his  clerks  to  come  on  the 
morrow  to  his  wharf  and  unload  a newly-arrived 
ship.  One  young  man  replied,  quietly: 

“ Mr.  Girard,  I can’t  work  on  Sunday.” 

“You  know  our  rules?” 

“Yes,  I know.  I have  a mother  to  support,  but  I 
can’t  work  on  Sundays.” 

“Well,  step  up  to  the  desk,  and  the  cashier  will 
settle  with  you.” 

For  three  weeks  the  young  man  could  find  no 
work,  but  one  day  a banker  came  to  Girard  to  ask  if 
he  could  recommend  a man  for  cashier  in  a new 
bank.  This  discharged  young  man  was  at  once 
named  as  a suitable  person. 

“But,”  said  the  banker,  “you  dismissed  him.” 

“Yes,  because  he  would  not  work  on  Sundays.  A 


42 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


man  who  would  lose  his  place  for  conscience’s  sake 
would  make  a trustworthy  cashier.”  And  he  was 
appointed. — Pearl  of  Days . 


A Precious  Gift* 


Admiral  Hall,  of  the  British  navy,  says  that  while 
he  was  commanding-  a naval  vessel  at  Hong  Kong, 
after  divine  service  had  been  performed  one  Sunday 
on  his  ship,  and  the  sailors  were  at  rest,  his  intelli- 
gent Chinese  pilot  called  his  attention  to  the  fact 
that  work  was  going  on  on  shore  as  usual,  and  said, 
“Your  Joss  (God)  is  better  than  our  Joss;  for  he  gives 
you  holiday  and  rest  one  day  in  seven,  and  we  have 
only  one  day  in  the  year,  on  New  Year’s  Day. 

The  admiral,  in  an  address  to  workingmen 
clinched  the  striking  fact  by  adding:  “And  this  is 
the  case.  Just  picture  working  hard  from  morning 
till  night  for  three  hundred  and  sixty-four  days,  and 
only  one  day  of  rest;  and  then  prize  the  Sabbath /” 

Those  who  use  the  day  of  rest  as  a day  of  pleas- 
ure forget  that  when  it  ceases  to  be  a day  of  rest  it 
will  become  a day  of  toil. — The  Christian . 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers, 


4a 


CONTENTMENT. 


The  Lord  Exalted. 


BY  C.  H.  SPURGEON. 


I will  exalt  thee,  Lord  of  hosts, 

For  Thou’st  exalted  me; 

Since  Thou  hast  silenced  Satan’s  boasts, 
I’ll  therefore  boast  in  Thee. 

My  sins  had  brought  me  near  the  grave,. 

The  grave  of  black  despair, 

I looked,  but  there  was  none  to  save, 

Till  I looked  up  in  prayer. 

In  answer  to  my  piteous  cries, 

From  hell’s  dark  brink  I’m  brought; 

My  Jesus  sought  me  from  the  skies, 

And  swift  salvation  wrought. 

And  through  the  night  I wept  full  sore, 
But  morning  brought  relief; 

That  Hand  which  broke  my  bones  before,. 
Then  broke  my  bonds  of  grief. 

My  mourning  He  to  dancing  turns; 

For  sackcloth,  joy  He  gives; 

A moment,  Lord,  Thine  anger  burns, 

But  long  Thy  favor  lives. 

Sing  with  me,  then,  ye  favored  men, 
Who  long  have  known  His  grace; 

With  thanks  recall  the  seasons  when 
Ye  also  sought  His  face. 


44 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  "Workers. 


The  Little  Pine  Tree* 

A little  pine  tree  was  in  the  woods.  It  had  no 
leaves.  It  had  needles.  The  little  tree  said,  “I  do 
not  like  needles.  All  the  other  trees  in  the  woods 
have  pretty  leaves.  I want  leaves,  too.  But  I will 
have  better  leaves.  I want  gold  leaves.” 

Night  came  and  the  little  tree  went  to  sleep.  A 
fairy  came  by  and  gave  it  gold  leaves. 

When  the  little  tree  aw'oke  it  had  leaves  of  gold 
It  said,  “Oh,  I am  so  pretty!  No  other  tree  has  gold 
leaves.”  Night  came.  A man  came  by  with  a bag. 
He  saw  the  gold  leaves.  He  took  them  all  and  put 
them  into  his  bag.  The  poor  little  tree  cried,  “I  do 
not  want  gold  leaves  again.  I will  have  glass  leaves.” 
So  the  little  tree  went  to  sleep.  The  fairy  came 
by  and  put  the  glass  leaves  on  it.  The  little  tree 
awoke  and  saw  its  glass  leaves.  How  pretty  they 
looked  in  the  sunshine!  No  other  tree  was  so  bright. 
Then  a wind  came  up.  It  blew,  and  blew.  The  glass 
leaves  all  fell  from  the  tree  and  were  broken. 

Again  the  little  tree  had  no  leaves.  It  was  very 
sad.  and  said,  “I  will  not  have  gold  leaves  and  I will 
not  have  glass  leaves.  I want  green  leaves.  I want 
to  be  like  the  other  trees.”  And  the  little  tree  went 
to  sleep.  When  it  woke,  it  was  like  other  trees.  It 
had  green  leaves.  A goat  came  by.  He  saw  the 
green  leaves  on  the  little  tree.  The  goat  was  hun- 
gry and  he  ate  all  the  leaves. 

Then  the  little  tree  said,  “I  do  not  want  any 
leaves.  I will  not  have  green  leaves  nor  glass  leaves, 
nor  gold  leaves.  I like  my  needles  best.”  And  the 
little  tree  went  to  sleep.  The  fairy  gave  it  what  it 
wanted.  When  it  woke,  it  had  its  needles  again. 
Then  the  little  pine  tree  was  happy, — Selected . 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


45 


Fletcher's  Only  Want* 


John  Fletcher,  the  saint  of  Methodism,  had  ren- 
dered some  services  to  Lord  North,  the  prime  minis- 
ter of  England,  during  the  American  war.  He  re- 
ceived a letter  from  the  nobleman  asking  if  he  was 
in  need  of  anything  that  it  was  in  his  power  to  be- 
stow. 

Fletcher  replied  that  “he  was  sensible  of  the 
master’s  kindness,  but  he  only  wanted  one  thing 
which  he  could  not  grant  him;  and  that  was  more 
grace.” 

The  difference  between  Fletcher  and  most  men, 
is  that  he  wanted  what  he  needed.  There  are 
many  who  need  grace  that  do  not  want  it,  and  others 
who  know  they  need  it,  but  want  something  else 
more.  One  mark  of  genuine  piety  is  to  know  that 
we  need  more  grace.  Another  mark  of  piety  is  to 
determine  to  have  it. 

In  the  Wrong  Place* 


We  have  located  our  troubles  in  the  wrong  place.. 
We  have  thought  that  our  unrest  was  due  to  poverty, 
to  lack  of  culture:  to  the  obscurity  of  our  sphere  and 
to  our  inability  to  tap  pleasure’s  fountain  at  our  will. 
But  this  analysis  of  life’s  misery  is  fallacious.  We 
have  drawn  our  indictment  against  an  unoffending 
combination.  If  a man  had  a good  conscience  and 
perfect  faith  in  God’s  providence,  the  evils  enumer- 
ated above  would  be  divested  of  every  semblance  of 
harm.  The  truth  is,  a comparative  poverty  is  posi- 
tively conducive  to  the  spiritual  life.  Christ  taught 


46 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


that  affluence  is  a positive  bar  to  the  kingdom  of 
God,  and  such  an  insuperable  obstacle  that  nothing 
but  a special  dispensation  of  divine  grace  could  re- 
move it. — Anon. 

Doing  Their  Part* 


I stood  a while  ago  and  looked  at  a drinking  fount- 
ain. A marble  angel,  beautifully  sculptured,  stood 
pointing  to  heaven.  Then  came  polished  granite 
inscribed  with  gilt  letters  and  massive  slabs  of  stone. 
But  I noticed  that  the  water  came  through  a small 
brass  pipe,  and  the  people  drank  from  an  iron  cup 
attached  to  an  iron  chain.  And  the  marble  angel 
pointing  heavenward  would  have  done  nobody  any 
good  but  for  the  brass  pipe  and  iron  cup. 

Think  if  the  pipe  had  said,  “If  they  do  not  make 
me  of  gold,  I will  not  belong  to  the  thing.”  Or  if  the 
cup  had  said,  “I  must  be  of  silver,  or  I shall  be 
ashamed  to  be  there  at  all.” 

Xo,  I thought  I heard  the  music  of  the  three — 
common  water,  common  pipe,  and  common  cup. 
“Well,”  they  sang,  “they  can't  do  without  us,  and 
we  must  do  our  part  along  with  the  marble  angel 
and  the  polished  granite. — Mark  Guy  Pearee. 

Serving  Conquers  Pain* 


“Don?t  you  get  tired  of  being  tied  to  that  bed  day 
and  night,  week  after  week?”  said  a visitor  to  an 
invalid. 

“Yes,  I think  I do,  sometimes;  that  is,  I grow 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


47 


bodily  tired,”  was  the  response.  “But  I try  not  to 
think  of  that.  I only  want  to  remember  that  God 
is  good  and  merciful.  In  his  love  he  spared  me,  even 
though  I am  a cripple,  to  live  that  I might  learn  to 
know  him  here.  You  see,  before  I was  hurt,  I never 
thought  about  him  as  being  a real  Friend  and  Helper. 
But  since  I have  been  compelled  to  lie  here  quiet  and 
helpless,  I can  even  find  joy  and  thankfulness  in  my 
affliction;  I live  to  serve  him,  and  that  crowds  almost 
every  other  thought  out.” — Young  People's  Weekly . 


No  Christian  should  bewail  his  humble  estate. 
“A  little  that  a righteous  man  hath  is  better  than 
the  riches  of  many  wicked.”  David  says,  “I  had 
rather  be  a doorkeeper  in  the  house  of  my  God  than 
to  dwell  in  the  tents  of  wickedness,”  and  gives  the 
reason:  “For  the  Lord  is  a sun  and  shield;  the  Lord 
will  give  grace  and  glory;  no  good  thing  will  he  with- 
hold from  those  that  walk  uprightly.” 

Contentment* 


Contentment  has  to  do  with  our  own  lot  rather 
than  that  of  others.  John  the  Baptist  bade  the  sol- 
diers to  be  content  with  their  wages,  and  not  rob  the 
people.  It  has  to  do  with  what  is  clearly  God’s  will 
and  the  allotment  of  his  providence,  not  with  what 
we  can  properly  change.  Paul  bade  one  who  was 
“called  being  a slave”  to  be  content  and  “care  not 
for  it;”  and  he  added,  “But  if  thou  canst  become 
free,  use  it  rather.”  It  has  to  do  with  God’s  will  in 
ouY  material  work  and  its  reward.  Paul,  who  worked 


48 


Glittering  Gems  for  'Willing  Workers. 


with  his  hands  for  a living-,  said,  ‘ ‘Having-  food  and 
raiment  let  us  be  content.”  It  has  to  do  with  God’s 
will  in  our  severest  trials.  The  same  Paul  who  knew 
what  it  was  to  abound  and  to  be  in  want,  even  to 
suffer  imprisonment  and  stripes  for  Christ,  could 
say,  “I  have  learned  in  whatsoever  state  I am, 
therein  to  be  content.”  It  does  not  mean  indiffer- 
ence to  improvement  in  one’s  own  circumstances, 
much  less  indifference  to  the  material  or  spiritual 
condition  of  others.  The  contented  Paul  was  happy 
and  contented  only  while  he  could  say,  “Woe  is  me 
if  I preach  not  the  gospel.” — Independent. 


A Parable* 


A certain  prince  went  into  his  vineyard  to  exam- 
ine it.  He  came  to  the  peach  tree,  and  he  said: 
What  are  you  doing  for  me? 

The  tree  said:  In  the  Spring  I give  my  blossoms 
and  fill  the  air  with  fragrance,  and  on  my  boughs 
hang  the  fruit  which  presently  men  will  gather  and 
carry  into  the  palace  for  you. 

And  the  prince  said:  Well  done,  good  and  faithful 
servant. 

And  he  came  to  the  maple  and  said:  What  are 
you  doing? 

The  maple  said:  I am  making  neats  for  the  birds 
and  shelter  for  the  cattle  with  my  leaves  and  spread- 
ing branches. 

And  the  prince  said:  Well  done,  good  and  faithful 
servant. 

He  went  to  the  meadows  and  said  to  the  waving 
grass:  What  are  you  doing? 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers* 


49 


And  the  grass  said:  We  are  giving-  up  our  lives 
for  the  lives  of  others,  for  the  sheep  and  cattle,  that 
they  may  be  nourished. 

And  the  prince  said:  Well  done,  good  and  faithful 
servants,  that  give  up  their  lives  for  others. 

Then  he  came  to  a daisy  that  was  growing  in  the 
hedge-row,  and  he  said:  What  are  you  doing? 

And  the  daisy  said:  Nothing!  nothing!  I can  not 
make  nesting  for  the  birds,  and  I can  not  give  shelter 
to  the  cattle,  and  I can  not  send  fruit  into  the  pal- 
ace. I can  not  even  furnish  food  for  the  sheep  and 
cows:  they  do  not  want  me  in  the  meadow.  All  I can 
do  is  to  be  the  best  little  daisy  I can  be. 

And  the  prince  bent  down,  and  kissed  the  daisy, 
and  said:  There  is  none  better  than  you. — Pennsyl- 
vania Methodist. 


50 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


TEMPERANCE* 


Beyond* 


BY  ELLA  WHEELER  WILCOX. 


It  seemeth  such  a little  way  to  me 
Across  to  that  strange  country,  the  beyond, 

And  yet  not  strange,  for  it  has  grown  to  be 
The  home  of  those  of  whom  I am  so  fond: 

They  make  it  seem  familiar  and  most  dear, 

As  journeying  friends  bring  distant  countries  near. 

Lemonade  or  Wine* 


A young  man,  in  company  with  several  other  gen- 
tlemen, called  upon  a young  lady.  Her  father  was 
present  to  assist  in  entertaining  the  guests,  and  of- 
fered wine,  but  the  young  lady  asked: 

“Did  you  call  upon  me  or  upon  papa?” 

Gallantry,  if  nothing  else,  compelled  them  to  an- 
swer, “We  called  on  you.” 

“Then  you  will  please  not  drink  wine.  I have 
lemonade  for  my  visitors.” 

The  father  urged  the  guests  to  drink,  and  they 
were  undecided.  The  young  lady  added: 

“Remember,  if  you  called  upon  me,  then  you 
drink  lemonade,  but  if  upon  papa,  why,  in  that  case 
I have  nothing  to  say.” 

The  wine  glasses  were  set  down  with  their  con- 


Glittering  Gems  for  'Willing  Workers. 


51 


tents  untasted.  After  leaving  the  house,  one  of  the 
party  exclaimed: 

“That  was  the  most  effectual  temperance  lecture 
I ever  heard!” 

The  young  man  from  whom  these  facts  were  ob- 
tained broke  off  at  once  from  the  use  of  stong  drink, 
and  holds  a grateful  remembrance  of  the  lady  who 
gracefully  and  resolutely  gave  him  to  understand 
that  her  guests  did  not  drink  wine. 


Why  Kipling  Changed* 


Mr.  Rudyard  Kipling  tells  us  how,  in  a concert 
hall  in  America,  he  saw  two  young  men  get  two 
young  girls  drunk,  and  then  lead  them  reeling  down 
a dark  street.  Mr.  Kipling  has  not  been  a total  ab- 
stainer, nor  have  his  writings  commended  temper- 
ance, but  of  that  scene  he  writes: 

“Then  recanting  previous  opinions,  I became  a pro- 
hibitionist. Better  it  is  that  a man  should  go  with- 
out beer  in  public  jjlaces,  and  content  himself  with 
swearing  at  the  narrow-mindedness  of  the  majority: 
better  it  is  to  buy  lager  furtively  at  back  doors  than 
to  bring  temptation  to  the  lips  of  young  fools  such 
as  the  four  I had  seen.  I understand  now  why  the 
preachers  rage  against  strong  drink. 

“I  have  said,  ‘ there  is  no  harm  in  it,  taken  mod- 
erately,’ and  yet  my  own  demand  for  beer  helped  di- 
rectly to  send  these  two  girls  reeling  down  the  dark 
street  to — God  alone  knows  what  end.  If  liquor  is 
worth  drinking,  it  is  worth  taking  a little  trouole  to 
come  at — such  trouble  as  a man  will  undergo  to  com- 
pass his  own  desires.  It  is  not  good  that  we  should 


UNIVERSITY  Ot 
ILLINOIS  LIBRARY 
AT  URBANA- CHAMPAIGN 


52 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


let  it  lie  before  the  eyes  of  our  children,  and  I have 
been  a fool  in  writing  to  the  contrary.” 

The  Cabin  Boy?s  Pledge* 


Admiral  Farragut,  one  of  the  greatest  heroes  in 
American  naval  history,  once  told  a friend  how  he 
won  his  first  great  victory.  He  said: 

“My  father  went  down,  in  behalf  of  the  United 
States  government,  to  put  an  end  to  Aaron  Burr’s 
rebellion.  I was  a cabin  boy,  and  went  along  with 
him.  I could  swear  like  an  old  salt.  I could  gamble 
in  every  style  of  gambling.  I knew  all  the  wicked- 
ness there  was  at  that  time  aboard.  One  day  my 
father  cleared  everybody  out  of  the  cabin  except 
myself,  and  locked  the  door.  He  said: 

“‘David,  what  are  you  going  to  do?  What  are 
you  going  to  be?’ 

“ ‘Well,  father,’  I said,  ‘ I am  going  to  follow  the 
sea.’ 

“ ‘Follow  the  sea!  And  be  a poor,  miserable, 
drunken  sailor,  kicked  and  cuffed  about  the  world, 
and  die  of  a fever  in  a foreign  hospital?’ 

“ ‘Oh,  no,  father,’  I said,  ‘I  will  not  be  that;  I will 
tread  the  quarter-deck  and  command,  as  you  do.’ 

“ ‘No,  David,’  my  father  said,  ‘a  person  who  has 
your  principles  and  your  bad  habits  will  never  tread 
the  quarter-deck  and  command.  ’ 

“My  father  went  out  and  shut  the  door  after  him, 
and  I said  then:  ‘I  will  change.  I will  never  swear 
again;  I will  never  drink  again;  I will  never  gamble 
asrain;’  and,  gentlemen,  by  the  help  of  God,  I have 
kept  those  three  vows  to  this  tim e”— Selected. 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


53 


A Promise  to  a Mother* 


While  drinking  whisky  was  the  fashion  all  about 
him,  Abraham  Lincoln  never  forgot  his  dead  moth- 
er’s request  to  close  his  lips  ag-ainst  intoxicants. 
Once  when  he  was  a member  of  congress,  a friend 
criticised  him  for  his  seeming  rudeness  in  declining 
to  test  the  rare  wines  provided  by  their  host,  urging 
as  a reason  for  the  reproof:  “There  is  certainly  no 
danger  of  a man  of  your  years  and  habits  becoming 
addicted  to  its  use.” 

“I  meant  no  disrespect,  John,”  answered  Mr.  Lin- 
coln, “but  I promised  my  precious  mother  only  a few 
days  before  she  died  that  I would  never  use  anything 
intoxicating  as  a beverage,  and  I consider  that 
promise  as  binding  to-day  as  it  was  the  day  I gave 
it.” 

“There  is  a great  difference  between  a child  sur- 
rounded by  a rough  class  of  drinkers  and  a man  in  a 
home  of  refinement,”  insisted  the  friend. 

“But  a promise  is  a promise  forever,  John,  and 
when  made  to  a mother  is  doubly  binding,”  replied 
Mr.  Lincoln.  —JSpieorth  Herald. 

How  He  Was  Cured* 

“I  don’t  believe  all  I hear  about  the  unwholesome- 
ness of  cigarettes,”  said  a young  man  wdio  was  ad- 
dicted to  the  cigarette  habit.  “I  acknowledge  they 
are  nasty  things  to  smoke,  and  very  offensive  to  some 
people,  without  doubt;  but  I won’t  be  abused  into  re- 
forming, and  I won’t  swear  off.” 

“It  always  seems  to  me.”  he  went  on,  “that  a fel- 


54 


Glittering  Geras  for  'Willing  Workers. 


low  can't  trust  himself  if  he  has  to  quit  anything-  by 
swearing  off.  If  anybody  will  show  me  some  good, 
sound  reason  why  I should  be  ashamed  to  smoke  cig- 
arettes, M quit  for  good  and  all  without  taking  a 
vow.” 

“Do  you  mean  that?”  asked  the  friend  to  whom 
he  was  speaking. 

“I  do.” 

“Then  come  with  me.” 

The  two  young  men  went  out  on  the  street,  sta- 
tioned themselves  at  a prominent  corner  and  waited. 
Presently  a little  Italian  boy  came  along.  He  had  a 
basket  on  his  arm.  It  was  half-full  of  the  stumps  of 
cigars  and  cigarettes  which  he  had  picked  up  from 
the  gutters,  and  he  was  adding  to  his  stock  moment- 
arily from  the  same  source. 

“What  do  you  do  with  them,  my  boy?”  inquired 
one  of  the  young  men. 

“Sell 'em.  Cigaretta  factory.  Ten  cents  a quart. 
replied  the  lad. 

“Do  you  believe  in  doing  anything  to  encourage 
that  sort  of  industry?”  asked  the  friend. 

“On  my  honor,  no!”  answered  the  cigarette 
smoker. 

He  took  a box  of  the  “coffin-nails”  from  his  pock- 
et, deliberately  tore  them  to  fragments,  threw  them 
away,  and  never  smoked  another — Youth's  Compan- 
ion. 

The  Surprised  Teacher* 


A zealous  Sunday-school  teacher  who  had  endeav- 
ored to  teach  her  class  of  boys  lessons  of  temperance, 
in  every  way  showing  them  the  folly  and  danger  of 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers, 


55 


using-  intoxicating  liquors,  was  very  much  surprised 
one  Sunday  by  one  of  her  boys  exclaiming:  “I  have 
been  reading  a book  lately,  teacher,  and  it  says  that 
every  boy  ought  to  drink,  lie  and  steal!” 

Of  course  the  teacher  was  shocked  that  any  book 
should  give  such  bad  advice,  and  inquired  more  par- 
ticularly into  the  matter,  telling  the  boy  that  such 
a book  was  not  fit  for  him  to  read. 

Looking  up  with  an  amused  smile,  he  replied: 
“Oh,  I didn’t  tell  you  all;  it  says  that  every  boy 
ought  to  drink  nothing  but  cold  water,  lie  on  a good 
bed,  and  steal  away  from  bad  company!  I think  so, 
too,  don’t  you?” 

Why  He  Quit. 


A professional  gentleman,  who  was  accustomed 
to  take  his  morning  glass,  stepped  into  the  saloon 
and  going  up  to  the  bar  he  called  for  whisky.  A 
seedy  individual  stepped  into  the  saloon,  and  said: 

“I  say,  squire,  can’t  you  ask  an  unfortunate  fellow 
to  join  you?” 

He  was  annoyed  by  the  man’s  familiarity,  and 
roughly  said; 

“I  am  not  in  the  habit  of  drinking  with  tramps.” 
The  tramp  replied:  “You  need  not  be  so  cranky 
and  high-minded,  my  friend.  I venture  to  say  that  I 
am  of  just  as  good  a family  as  you  are,  have  just  as 
good  an  education,  and  before  I took  to  drink  was 
just  as  respectable  as  you  are.  What  is  more,  I al- 
ways knew  how  to  act  the  gentleman.  Take  my  word 
for  it,  if  you  stick  to  John  Barleycorn,  he  will  bring 
you  to  the  same  place  I am.” 

Struck  by  his  words,  the  gentleman  set  down  his 


56 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  'Workers. 


glass  and  turned  to  look  at  him.  His  eyes  were  blood- 
shot, his  face  was  bloated,  his  hoots  mismated,  his 
clothing  filthy. 

“Then  it  was  drinking  that  made  you  like  this?” 

“Yes,  it  was,  and  it  will  bring  you  to  the  same  if 
you  stick  to  it.” 

Picking  up  his  untouched  glass,  he  poured  the 
contents  upon  the  floor,  and  said:  “Then  it’s  time  to 
quit,”  and  left  the  saloon,  never  to  enter  it  again. 

Two  Ways  of  Looking  at  It* 

INGERSOLL’S  EULOGY. 

“I  sent  you  some  of  the  most  wonderful  whisky 
that  ever  drove  the  skeleton  from  the  feast  or 
painted  landscape  in  the  brain  of  man.  It  is  the 
mingling  of  souls  of  wheat  and  corn.  In  it  you  will 
find  the  sunshine  and  the  shadow  that  chased  each 
other  over  billowy  fields,  the  breath  of  June,  the 
carol  of  the  lark,  the  dew  of  the  night,  the  wealth 
of  summer  and  autumn’s  rich  content,  all  golden 
with  imprisoned  light.  Drink  it  and  you  will  hear 
the  voice  of  men  and  maidens  singing  the  ‘Harvest 
Home,’  mingled  with  the  laughter  of  children.  Drink 
it,  and  you  will  feel  within  your  blood  the  starred 
dawns,  the  dreamy,  tawny  dusks  of  perfect  days. 
For  forty  years  this  liquid  joy  has  been  within 
staves  of  oak,  longing  to  touch  the  lips  of  man.” 

DR.  BUCKLEY’S  REPLY. 

“I  send  you  some  of  the  most  wonderful  whisky 
that  ever  brought  a skeleton  into  the  closet,  or 
painted  scenes  of  lust  and  bloodshed  in  the  brain  of 
man.  It  is  the  ghost  of  wheat  and  corn,  crazed  by 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


57 


the  loss  of  their  bodies.  In  it  you  will  find  a trans- 
ient sunshine  chased  by  a shadow  as  cold  as  arctic 
midnight  in  which  the  breath  of  June  grows  icy  and 
the  carol  of  the  lark  gives  place  to  the  foreboding  cry 
of  the  raven.  Drink  it,  and  you  shall  have  ‘woe,’ 
‘sorrow,’  ‘babbling,’  and  ‘wounds  without  cause,’ 
‘your  eyes  shall  behold  strange  women,’  and  ‘your 
heart  shall  utter  perverse  things.’  Drink  it  deep, 
and  you  shall  hear  the  voice  of  demons  shrieking, 
women  wailing,  and  worse  than  orphaned  children 
mourning  the  loss  of  a father  who  yet  lives.  Drink 
it  deep  and  long,  and  serpents  will  hiss  in  your  ears, 
coil  themselves  about  your  neck,  and  seize  you  with 
their  fangs;  for  ‘at  last  it  biteth  like  a serpent  and 
stingeth  like  an  adder.’  For  forty  years  this  liquid 
death  has  been  within  staves  of  oak,  harmless  there 
as  purest  water.  I send  it  to  you  that  you  may  ‘put 
an  enemy  in  your  mouth  to  steal  away  your  brains.’ 
And  yet  I call  myself  your  friend  ” — Philadelphia 
Methodist. 


58 


Glittering  Cems  for  Willing  Workers, 


TEMPER* 


Teach  Me  to  Live* 


Teach  me  to  live!  ’Tis  easier  far  to  die — 
Gently  and  silently  to  pass  away — 

On  earth’s  long-  nig-ht  to  close  the  heavy  eye, 
And  waken  in  the  realms  of  glorious  day. 

Teach  me  to  live  for  self  and  sin  no  more, 

But  use  the  time  remaining  to  me  yet; 

Not  mine  own  pleasure  seeking,  as  before, 
Wasting  no  precious  hours  in  vain  regret. 

— Exchange. 

a* 

A Noble  Revenge* 


A farmer’s  horse,  happening  to  stray  into  the 
road,  an  ill-natured  neighbor,  instead  of  returning 
the  animal  to  its  master,  put  it  into  the  pound.  This 
is  an  enclosed  place,  built  especially  for  stray  ani- 
mals, and  a fine  has  to  be  paid  by  their  owner  before 
they  are  liberated.  Meeting  the  farmer  soon  after, 
he  told  him  what  he  had  done,  and  added:  “If  I ever 
catch  your  horse  in  the  road  again,  I will  do  just  the 
same.”  “Neighbor,”  replied  the  farmer,  “not  long 
ago,  I looked  out  of  my  window  in  the  evening  and 
saw  your  cows  in  my  field  of  young  clover.  I drove 
them  out,  and  carefully  shut  them  up  in  your  yard. 
If  I ever  catch  them  again,  I will  do  just  the  same.” 
Struck  with  this  noble  reply,  the  neighbor  went  to 
the  pound,  liberated  the  horse,  and  paid  the  fine 
himself. 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


59* 


Good  Advice* 

Abraham  Lincoln  said  a great  many  wise  thing's, 
but  perhaps  he  never  gave  better  advice  than  at  one 
time  to  Secretary  Stanton. 

Mr.  Stanton,  it  seems,  was  greatly  vexed  because 
an  army  officer  had  refused  to  understand  an  order, 
or,  at  all  events,  had  not  obeyed.  “I  believe  I’ll  sit 
down,”  said  Stanton,  “and  give  that  man  a piece  of 
my  mind.”  “Do  so,”  said  Mr.  Lincoln,  “write  it  now 
while  you  have  it  on  your  mind.  Make  it  sharp;  cut 
him  all  up.”  Stanton  did  not  need  another  invita- 
tion. It  was  a bone-crusher  that  he  read  to  the 
President.  “That’s  right,”  said  Abe,  “that’s  a good 
one.”  “Whom  can  I get  to  send  it  by?”  mused  the 
Secretary.  “Send  it!”  replied  Lincoln,  “send  it!. 
Why,  don’t  send  it  at  all.  Tear  it  up.  You  have 
freed  your  mind  on  the  subject,  and  that  is  all  that 
is  necessary.  Tear  it  up.  You  never  want  to  send 
such  letters;  I never  do!” 

Independent* 

“Madam,”  said  the  conductor,  as  he  punched  her 
ticket,  “I  am  very  sorry,  but  you  can’t  have  your  dog 
in  this  car.  It’s  against  the  rules.” 

“I  shall  hold  him  on  my  lap  all  the  way,”  she  re- 
plied, “and  he  will  not  disturb  anyone.” 

“That  makes  no  difference,”  said  the  conductor. 
“I  couldn’t  allow  my  own  dog  here.  Dogs  must  ride 
in  the  baggage  car.  I’ll  fasten  him  all  right  for 
you — ” 

“Don’t  you  touch  my  dog,  sir!”  said  the  young 
woman  excitedly,  “I  will  trust  him  to  no  one!” 


60 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


And  with  indignant  tread,  she  marched  to  the 
baggage  car,  tied  her  dog,  and  returned.  About  fifty 
miles  farther  on,  when  the  conductor  came  along 
again,  she  asked  him. 

“Will  you  tell  me  if  my  dog  is  all  right?” 

“I  am  very  sorry,”  said  the  conductor,  “but  you 
tied  him  to  a trunk,  and  he  was  thrown  off  with  it  at 
the  last  station.” 

The  Way  we  Look  at  Things. 

The  way  we  look  at  things,  and  the  spirit  with 
which  we  enter  into  them,  have  more  to  do  with  our 
success  or  failure  than  we  think.  We  quote  a story 
which  aptly  illustrates  the  principle: 

A farmer  once  remarked  in  the  presence  of  a 
neighbor  that  he  did  not  believe  anything  could 
ruffle  Ms  wife’s  temper. 

“I  can  tell  you  something  that  will,  if  you’ll  con- 
sent to  try  it,”  urged  the  man. 

“Agreed.”  said  the  farmer. 

“Just  bring  home,  and  cut  up,  a load  of  the  crook- 
edest  wood  you  can  find,”  proposed  this  disturber  of 
peace,  “and  if  that  doesn’t  fret  her  I don’t  know 
what  will.” 

The  plan  was  complied  with.  To  appreciate  the 
vexation  consequent  upon  poor  wood,  one  has  only  to 
recall  the  old-fashioned  fire-place  with  its  andirons, 
and  the  carefulness  with  which  the  wood  mast  be 
laid  upon  them  to  make  the  kettle  boil,  for  it  is  to 
that  period  of  time  that  our  incident  refers.  There 
was  no  change  in  things  at  the  farmer’s;  in  fact, 
everything  seemed  to  be  more  agreeable,  so  the  hus- 
band thought.  At  last  he  said: 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers* 


61 


“Wife,  how  do  you  like  the  wood  I brought  you 
last?” 

4 ‘First-rate,  ” said  the  wife.  ‘ ‘These  crooked  sticks 
fit  right  round  my  kettle,  and  make  it  boil  in  half 
the  time.” 

The  farmer’s  wife  realized  that  things  which 
“can’t  be  cured  must  be  endured.”  Her  best  and 
noblest  powers  had  been  called  forth  in  overcoming 
the  difficulty  which  to  another,  might  have  seemed 
like  an  evil. — Exchange. 

Spurgeon's  Sudden  Deafness* 


While  Spurgeon  was  still  a boy  preacher,  he  was 
warned  about  a certain  virago,  and  told  that  she  in- 
tended to  give  him  a tongue-lashing.  “All  right,” 
he  replied,  “but  that’s  a game  at  which  two  can 
play.” 

Not  long  after,  as  he  passed  her  gate  one  morn- 
ing, she  assailed  him  with  a flood  of  billingsgate. 
He  smiled  and  said,  “Yes,  thank  you,  I am  quite 
well;  I hope  you  are  the  same.”  Then  came  another 
burst  of  vituperation,  pitched  in  a still  higher  key, 
to  which  he  replied,  still  smiling,  “Yes,  it  does  rather 
look  as  if  it  is  going  to  rain;  I think  I had  better  be 
getting  on!”  “Bless  the  man,”  she  exclaimed,”  he’s 
as  deaf  as  a post;  what’s  the  use  of  storming  at 
him?”  And  so  her  ravings  ceased,  and  were  never 
again  attempted. 


432 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


LOVE* 


The  Upward  Path* 


MRS.  E.  K.  WILLIAMS. 


Hitherto  the  Lord  hath  led  me, 

Though,  at  times,  I know  not  how; 
Hitherto  he  hath  sustained  me, 

Shall  I fail  to  trust  him  now? 

No!  Though  earthly  friends  forsake  me, 

And  I journey  all  alone, 

Yet  I know  this  path  leads  upward, 

And  will  end  before  the  Throne. 

Dewey's  Powder  Boy* 

“Honor  thy  father  and  thy  mother.” 

When  the  order  to  clear  for  action  was  given  in 
Dewey’s  fleet  on  that  memorable  May  morning  in 
Manila  Bay,  one  of  the  powder  boys  hastily  took  off 
his  coat,  which  slipped  from  his  hand  int#  the  water. 
In  the  inside  pocket  was  a photograph  of  his  mother. 
The  boy  had  just  been  looking  at  it,  had  kissed  it, 
and  restored  it  to  what  seemed  to  be  a safe  place. 
He  asked  permission  to  jump  overboard  and  recover 
the  coat;  and  when  he  was  forbidden  to  do  this,  he 
went  to  the  other  side  of  the  ship,  leaped  into  the 
water,  swam  to  the  coat  and  saved  it.  For  disobedi- 
ence he  was  put  in  irons  and  held  for  further  pun- 
ishment. Commodore  Dewey  wondered  why  he  had 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


63 


risked  his  life  and  disobeyed  orders  for  the  sake  of  a 
coat,  for  the  boy  had  said  nothing-  about  the  photo- 
graph. * In  answer  to  the  commodore’s  kind  ques- 
tions he  disclosed  his  motive.  The  commodore’s  eyes 
filled  with  tears  and  he  clasped  the  boy  in  his  arms. 
Orders  were  given  that  the  little  fellow  should  be 
released.  “A  boy  who  loves  his  mother  enough  to 
risk  his  life  for  her  picture,”  said  Dewey,  “can  not 
be  kept  in  irons  on  this  fleet.” — Independent . 

Christ  Looking  for  the  Lost* 

Christ  not  only  loves  the  lost  and  sinful  but  his  is 
a seeking  love.  He  goes  out  after  the  lost  and  seeks 
them  till  he  finds  them.  Even  one  lost  one  is  enough 
to  touch  his  heart  and  call  out  his  seeking  love. 
Head  the  parable  of  the  lost  sheep  in  the  fifteenth 
chapter  of  Luke.  Reader,  here  is  a little  story  that 
tells  you  just  how  to  find  the  seeking  Savior. 

“Hello,  little  stranger,  what  is  the  matter?” 

The  rough  looking  wagoner  softened  his  voice  in 
speaking,  for  the  child  in  the  road  was  crying. 

“I’m  lost,  I can’t  find  my  father,”  sobbed  the 
child. 

“Is  he  a big  man,  with  a long  white  beard?” 

“Yes;  that’s  my  father.” 

“It’s  all  right,  then,  because  he  is  looking  for  you. 
Xeep  right  along,  and  if  you  don’t  find  him,  he!  find 
you.” 

And  the  child  dried  his  tears  and  sprang  into  the 
road;  for  if  his  father  was  looking  for  him,  of  course 
he  could  not  fail  to  be  in  his  arms  again  after  a 
while. 


64 


Glittering  Gems  for  'Willing  Workers. 


Dear  reader,  if  you  are  trying  to  come  to  Christ, 
and  the  way  seems  dark  and  the  path  steep  and  diffi- 
cult, take  courage.  He  is  looking  for  you. 

^7?  FT 

Mother's  Love* 

There  is  a beautiful  old  legend  that  at  creation’s 
dawn  an  angel  came  down  to  earth  seeking  some- 
thing to  take  back  to  heaven.  It  returned  with  a 
bouquet  of  flowers,  a baby’s  smile  and  a mother’s 
love.  When  it  reached  the  pearly  gates  of  paradise 
again  the  flowers  had  withered,  the  baby’s  smile  had 
vanished,  but  the  mother’s  love  was  found  to  be  as 
pure  and  eternal  as  the  waters  that  flowed  by  the 
heavenly  throne,  and  all  the  angels  exclaimed: 
“There  is  nothing  on  earth  pure  enough  for  heaven 
but  a mother’s  love.”  What  a sublime  thought  and 
a holy  moral  this  old  legend  teaches  to  mortal 
creatures. 

Mother's  Love* 



A poor  woman  lost  her  only  daughter  in  the 
wicked  depths  of  London  life.  The  mother,  with  a 
breaking  heart,  went  to  Dr.  Bernardo,  and  telling 
him  the  sad  story,  asked  if  he  could  help  to  find  the 
lost  one.  The  genial  doctor  said:  “Yes,  I can.  Get 
your  photograph  taken,  frame  a good  many  copies, 
write  under  the  picture  ‘Come  home,’  and  send  them 
to  me.”  The  doctor  sent  the  photographs  to  the 
gin-palaces,  music-halls  and  other  places  which 
wretched  outcasts  are  in  the  habit  of  frequenting 
and  had  them  hung  in  conspicuous  places.  One  night 


Glittering;  Gems  for  Willing;  Workers. 


65 


the  girl  saw  her  mother’s  picture.  Struck  with  as- 
tonishment, she  looked  closely  at  it  and  saw  the  in- 
yitation  beneath.  To  whom  was  it  addressed?  To 
her?  Yes.  She  saw  by  that  token  that  she  was  still 
loved,  and  she  returned  to  her  mother’s  arms. 

vyv 

“ There  Shall  Be  No  Night  There/' 


Love  is  the  only  thing-  which  I need  never  out- 
grow. I am  bound  to  outgrow  overything  else.  How 
many  gifts  to  my  jmuth  would  be  gifts  to  my  old  age? 
Wealth,  fame,  power,  physical  beauty,  are  for  the 
morning  and  the  midday;  they  are  little  coveted  at 
evening.  But  love  in  old  age  can  keep  the  dew  of  its 
youth.  I have  seen  a virtuous  attachment  which 
was  formed  by  the  girl  and  boy  retain  amid  the 
shadows  its  morning  glow.  The  heart  never 
grows  old  with  time.  It  may  grow  old  with  grief  or 
bitterness  or  care;  but  not  with  time.  Time  has  no 
empire  over  the  heart.  It  has  an  empire  over  the 
eye,  over  the  ear,  over  the  cheek,  over  the  hand,  but 
not  over  the  heart.  The  heart  may  be  swept  by 
storms,  bnt  not  corroded  by  decay.  It  keeps  no  rec- 
ord of  the  flying  years;  it  is  untouched  by  the  winter 
snow.  The  inscription  upon  its  gates  is  ever  this: 
‘‘There  shall  be  no  night  there.” — George  Matheson. 


66 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


FAITH. 


Rest. 


My  feet  are  wearied  and  my  hands  are  tired, 

My  soul  oppressed — 

And  I desire,  what  I hare  long-  desired — 

Rest— only  rest. 

’Tis  hard  to  toil — when  toil  is  almost  vain, 

In  barren  ways; 

’Tis  hard  to  sow — and  never  garner  grain 
In  harvest  days. 

The  burden  of  my  days  is  hard  to  bear, 

But  God  knows  best; 

And  I have  prayed  — but  vain  has  been  my  prayer, 
For  rest — sweet  rest. 

’Tis  hard  to  plant  in  spring*  and  never  reap 
The  autumn  yield; 

’Tis  hard  to  till,  and  when  ’tis  tilled,  to  weep 
O'er  fruitless  field. 

And  so  I cry  a weak  and  human  cry, 

So  heart  oppressed; 

And  so  I sigh  a weak  and  human  sigh. 

For  rest — for  rest. 

My  way  has  wound  across  the  desert  years, 

And  cares  infest 

My  path,  and  through  the  flowing  of  hot  tears 
I pine  for  rest. 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


67 


’Twas  always  so;  when  still  a child  I laid 
On  mother’s  breast 

My  wearied  little  head;  e’en  then  I prayed 
As  now — for  rest. 

And  I am  restless  still;  ’twill  soon  be  o’er; 

For  down  the  West 

Life’s  sun  is  setting,  and  I see  the  shore 
Where  I shall  rest. 

— Father  Ryan . 


He  Is  Awake* 


Little  folks  sometimes  see  things  that  are  hid- 
den from  the  eyes  of  those  who  are  older. 

One  moonlight  night,  after  the  house  lights  had 
all  been  put  out,  a little  four  year-old  girl,  afraid  of 
the  dark,  asked  her  widowed  mother: 

“Mamma,  is  the  moon  God’s  light?” 

“Yes,  Ethel,”  her  mother  answered,  “the  moon 
and  the  stars  are  all  God’s  lights.” 

Then  came  the  next  question  from  the  little  girl: 
“Will  God  blow  out  his  light  and  go  to  sleep  too?” 
“No,  my  child,”  the  mother  replied,  “his  lights 
are  always  burning.” 

Then  the  timid  little  girl  gave  utterance  to  a 
sentiment  that  thrilled  the  mother’s  heart  and  led 
her  to  a more  complete  trust  in  her  God:  “Well, 
mamma,  while  God’s  awake,  I’m  not  afraid.” 

The  beautiful  thought  which  came  to  this  little 
girl  is  one  with  which  we  are  all  familiar,  but  we 
need  to  be  reminded  of  it  many  times. — /Selected. 


68  Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 

44 1 Have  Promised*” 


It  is  said  of  Blucher,  that  when  he  was  marching 
to  help  Wellington  at  Waterloo,  his  troops  faltered. 
“It  can’t  be  done,”  said  they.  “It  must  be  done,” 
was  his  answer.  “I  have  promised  to  be  there — 
promised,  do  you  hear?  You  would  not  have  me 
break  my  word.”  He  was  at  Waterloo  to  good  pur- 
pose; he  would  not  be  hindered,  for  his  promise  was 
given. 

We  praise  such  faithfulness;,  we  should  think  lit- 
tle of  one  who  did  not  exhibit  it.  Shall  the  Lord 
God  Almighty  fail  in  his  promise?  No,  he  would 
move  heaven  and  earth,  and  shake  the  nniverse, 
rather  than  be  behindhand  with  his  word.  He  seems 
to  say:  “It  must  be  done.  I have  promised — prom- 
ised, do  you  hear?”  Sooner  than  his  promise  should 
fail,  he  spared  not  his  own  Son. — C.  JE.  World. 

Resting  On  the  Promises* 


When  a pious  old  slave  on  a Virginia  plantation 
was  asked  why  he  was  always  so  sunny-hearted  and 
cheerful  under  his  hard  lot,  he  replied:  “Ah!  massa, 
I always  lays  flat  down  on  the  promises,  and  den  I 
pray  straight  up  to  my  heavenly  father.”  Humble, 
happy  soul!  He  was  not  the  first  man  who  had 
eased  an  aching  head  by  laying  it  upon  God’s  pil- 
lows; or  the  first  man  who  has  risen  up  the  stronger 
from  a repose  on  the  unchangeable  word  of  God’s 
love.  Spiritually  that  man  was  a Croesus,  for  all 
his  soul’s  wealth  was  in  the  currency  of  heaven.  If 
you  take  a Bank  of  England  note  to  the  counter  of 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


69 


the  bank,  in  an  instant  that  bit  of  paper  turns  to 
gold.  If  we  take  a promise  of  God  to  the  mercy- 
seat,  it  turns  to  what  is  better  than  gold — to  our  own 
good  and  the  glory  of  the  Father.  The  solvency  of  a 
bank,  or  of  government,  gives  the  value  to  its  notes. 
So  it  is  the  everlasting  faithfulness  of  God  that 
makes  a Bible  promise  “exceeding  great  and  pre- 
cious.” Human  promises  are  of  ten  worthless.  Many 
a broken  promise  has  left  a broken  heart.  But  God 
has  never  broken  a single  promise  made  to  one  of 
his  trusting  children.  When  God  promises  pardon 
to  a believing  penitent  here  and  glory  hereafter, 
he  does  it  in  the  full  view  of  all  the  risks  that  we 
can  possibly  encounter.  When  he  promises  to  take 
care  of  his  children  he  knows  perfectly  well  how 
much  it  will  cost  him  to  maintain  so  vast  and  neces- 
sitous a family. — C.  H.  Spurgeon. 

'Z&gZ. 

A Philosopher's  Advice  to  an  Emperor* 

“There  was  a Christian  in  prison  at  Rome.  A phi- 
losopher near  by  had  audience  of  the  emperor  con- 
cerning him.  ‘What  are  you  going  to  do  with  him?’ 
he  asked.  ‘Come  back  in  two  days  and  I will  tell  you,’ 
was  the  reply.  He  went  and  the  emperor  said:  ‘I 
will  put  him  into  exile.’  ‘That  is  no  use,’  the  philoso- 
pher said,  ‘for  the  God  whom  he  serves  will  be  there.’ 
‘I  will  confiscate  his  goods.’  ‘That  is  no  use,  for  he 
has  treasure  laid  up  where  neither  moth  nor  rust  can 
corrupt,  nor  thieves  break  through  nor  steal.  ’ ‘Well,’ 
said  the  emperor,  ‘I  will  put  him  to  death.’  ‘Still 
that  is  of  no  use,  for  his  God  says:  ‘Absent  from  the 
body,  present  with  the  Lord.’  ‘Then  what  shall  I do 


70 


Glittering:  Gems  for  Willing: 'Workers. 


with  him?’  asked  the  emperor.  ‘Cause  him  to  sin, 
was  the  philosopher’s  answer.  There  it  is.  Sin,  and 
sin  alone,  can  come  between  us  and  God,  for  He  is  of 
purer  eyes  to  behold  iniquity.” 

vw 

A little  girl,  as  she  lay  dying-,  looked  up  into  the 
face  of  her  mother,  who  was  standing-  at  her  bedside, 
and  said:  “Mother,  I can  not  see  you  very  well;  it  is 
growing-  dark.”  Then  she  closed  her  weary  eyes, 
and  there  was  silence  for  a brief  space.  Presently 
she  opened  them  again.  There  was  a glad  ligiit  in 
their  filmy  blue,  while  a celestial  smile  illumined  her 
pallid  countenance  as  she  added,  “But  I can  see 
Jesus!”  And  I thoug-ht  within  myself,  how  blessed, 
if,  when  earthly  ligiits  pale  and  fade  into  the  grim 
night  of  death,  when  earthly  ambitions,  hopes  and 
friends  vanish  and  fail  me,  I can  exclaim  amidst  the 
the  darkness  and  the  loneliness,  “But  I can  see 
Jesus!” — War  Cry . 

wKn 

When  We  Wander  Away. 

A little  girl  went  one  day  with  her  father  to  watch 
him  as  he  cut  down  some  tall  pines  growing  on  the 
side  of  a steep  hill.  As  they  climbed  the  rocky  path 
his  strong  hand  helped  her,  so  that  she  did  not  feel 
tired  when  they  reached  the  spot  where  he  was  to 
begin  his  work. 

For  some  time  the  child  played  near  her  father, 
turning  her  head  every  minute  or  two  to  look  at  him. 
By  and  by  she  grew  less  timid  and  wandered  off  some 
distance  till  she  came  to  a steep  cliff,  from  the  edge 
of  which  she  could  look  down  and  see  a little  brook 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


71 


winding-  through  green  fields.  “How  pretty  it  is,” 
said  the  child  to  herself,  “I’m  glad  I didn’t  stay  back 
in  the  woods.” 

The  thought  had  hardly  passed  through  her  mind 
when  she  felt  that  the  bank  was  giving  way  under 
her  feet.  She  had  just  time  to  throw  her  arms 
around  the  trunk  of  a slender  birch  growing  there, 
before  she  found  herself  hanging  over  the  edge  of  a 
cliff.  A terrible  moment  passed  before  her  father, 
who  had  heard  her  wild  screams,  could  run  to  her 
help.  As  it  was,  he  came  just  in  time  to  save  her. 

There  is  a lesson  in  this  true  story  for  many  a boy 
and  girl.  This  girl  had  a strong,  loving  father  who 
was  glad  to  help  her  when  the  way  was  hard,  and  to 
guard  her  from  every  danger,  but  she  was  safe  only 
when  she  kept  near  to  him. 

Is  this  not  just  as  true  of  us?  Our  heavenly 
Father  is  loving  and  powerful.  When  we  have  to 
walk  by  a rough  way,  he  takes  us  by  the  hand  and 
helps  us  along.  If  any  danger  comes  near,  he  is 
ready  to  guard  and  protect  us.  We  are  quite  safe  if 
we  stay  close  to  him,  but  if  we  wander  away  we 
are  sure  to  find  ourselves  in  trouble.  Is  it  not  the 
wisest  way  to  keep  near  him? — Exchange . 

“I  Trust  Thee." 

Alexander  the  Great  had  a physician  who  was  his 
bosom  friend.  One  day  there  came  an  anonymous 
letter  on  a waxed  tablet  to  the  king:  “O  king,  there 
is  treachery  in  thy  home.  Thy  physician  purposes 
to  kill  thee  by  the  draft  which  he  gives  thee  to-mor- 
row under  the  plea  of  healing  thee.” 


72 


Glittering  Gems  for  "Willing  Workers. 


The  king-  put  that  waxed  tablet  into  his  breast, 
and  the  next  day,  when  the  physician  came  to  give 
him  the  draft,  he  put  out  his  left  hand  and  took  the 
cup,  and  with  his  rigiit  hand  handed  the  tablet  to 
the  physician,  and  said,  “Friend,  I trust  thee,”  and 
drank  the  potion  without  stopping-  a moment  to  see 
the  effect  upon  the  physician. 

It  is  not  enoug-h  to  believe  that  Christ  is  the  great 
Phj^sician;  you  must  trust  him. — Prebendai'y  H.  W. 
Webb-Peploe. 

He  Loves  Me* 


Once,  in  an  hour  of  great  peril,  an  officer  showed 
such  courage  that  his  wife  afterward  said  to  him: 
“How  could  you  help  being  afraid?” 

He  drew  his  sword,  and  rested  the  point  at  her 
heart.  “How  can  you  smile?”  he  said. 

“Because,”  she  answered,  “he  who  holds  the  sword 
loves  me  better  than  his  life.” 

“It  is  the  same  with  me,”  he  said,  as  he  returned 
the  sword  to  its  sheath.  “He  who  holds  the  winds  in 
the  hollow  of  his  hand  loves  me  infinitely.” 

Our  Guide* 

In  “The  Swiss  Guide,”  Dr.  C.  H.  Parkhurst  has 
shown  the  many  points  in  common  between  the  ex- 
perience of  a Christian  in  his  dependence  upon  the 
guidance  of  God,  and  the  experience  of  a climber 
among  the  high  Alps  in  his  dependence  upon  the  care 
of  his  mountaineer  guide. 

He  closes  the  allegory  with  these  words:  “You 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


73 


learn  to  know  your  guide  by  obeying  him,  and  you 
learn  to  love  him  by  committing  yourself  to  him  and 
trusting  him.  Spell  that  word  Guide  with  a goidem 
letter,  and  our  lesson  is  done.  Something  about  our 
divine  Guide,  Jesus  Christ,  you  can  learn  from  the 
Scriptures;  something,  too,  you  can  gather  from  the 
testimony  of  other  men.  But,  my  friend,  if  you 
waut  to  know  him  you  have  got  to  obey  him,  and  if 
you  want  to  love  him  you  must  first  trust  him.” 

Taking  the  Leap* 


Said  a sin-burdened  medical  student  to  a group  of 
Christian  workers,  “Can  you  tell  me  how  to  be 
saved?” 

One  of  the  number  answered,  “Just  believe.” 

“I  have  heard  those  words,  ‘believe’  and  ‘faith,’ 
so  often,”  replied  he,  impatiently,  “yet  I do  not 
know  what  they  mean;  can  you  not  use  any  other 
word  to  make  plain  what  is  meant?” 

He  then  walked  towards  me,  to  whom  he  put  his 
question  in  a new  form,  “Can  you  tell  me  how  to- 
trust?” 

I said:  “You  are  now  standing  beside  me  here; 
but  suppose  instead  of  being  in  safety  the  house 
were  on  fire,  and  we  were  encircled  with  flames. 
There  is  no  safety  for  us  in  the  house;  but  in  the 
street  below  the  firemen  are  ready  with  a life-saving 
apparatus,  upon  which  is  spread  a large  sheet.  They 
call  upon  us  to  leap,  and  they  will  catch  us.  We  hes- 
itate; the  flames  draw  nearer.  Again  they  cry, 
‘Leap,  men,  leap!’  We  look  at  the  distance  between, 
and  cry,  ‘The  risk  is  great;’  but  the  reply  comes^ 


74 


Glittering  Cems  for  Willing  Workers. 


‘There  is  no  risk;  trust  yourselves  to  us.’  We  leap, 
and  are  caught.  That  is  an  illustration  of  saving 
trust.” 

The  young  man  remained  quiet  for  a minute,  then 
grasping  me  by  the  hand,  he  said,  “Thank  God,  I 
have  taken  the  leap.” 

Then  he  shook  nands  with  every  one  in  the  hall, 
and  rather  astonished  some  by  asking  if  they  had 
taken  the  leap. 

At  length  he  left  for  home  full  of  the  joy  of  trust- 
ing in  a newly-found  Savior. — Cut  Gems . 

Now* 

You  think  it  is  such  an  easy  thing  to  turn  and  ac- 
cept these  offers  of  salvation,  so  rich,  so  free,  so 
pressing;  but  what  if  the  time  should  come — and  it 
does  come  to  some — when  you  can  not  make  yourself 
want  to  accept  them? 

They  tell  us  if  you  take  one  of  a migratory  flock 
of  birds  out  of  the  line  which  the  God-given  instinct 
has  formed,  and  is  guiding  to  its  distant  home,  and 
cage  it  behind  iron  bars,  it  will  beat  its  wings  against 
the  cage  in  its  frantic  efforts  to  rise  and  go  on  its 
journey.  But  let  the  season  pass  in  which  birds  mi- 
grate, then  open  your  cage;  your  bird  will  not  go 
now.  You  may  take  it  in  your  hand  and  toss  it  high 
into  the  air;  it  is  of  no  use;  the  instinct  for  motion 
has  passed;  the  bird  returns  heavily  to  the  same  spot. 

O young  hearts!  now  God’s  Spirit  moves  you  to 
accept  Christ,  but  the  time  may  come  when  the  door 
may  in  vain  be  held  open  for  you;  you  can  not  arise 
and  go. 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


75 


Be  Riveted  to  Jesus* 


“The  first  lighthouse  that  stood  on  Minot’s  Ledge,” 
said  a preacher  to  an  audience  who  lived  in  sight  of 
the  spot,  “was  built  on  huge  iron  pillars;  the  mighty 
waves  came  between  it  and  the  rock,  and  lifted  it 
away,  dashing  it  to  pieces  like  an  egg-shell. 

“The  builders  now  leveled  the  ledge,  brought 
hardest  granite,  dovetailed  and  riveted  every  course 
to  the  rock  below  and  the  course  above,  till  nothing 
could  shake  the  tower  that  did  not  shake  the  rock. 
There  it  stands  now,  giving  light  forever!  There  is 
no  chance  for  any  force  to  get  between  it  and  the 
mighty  rock  on  which  it  stands. 

“Jesus  is  your  rock;  take  no  weak  hold  on  him. 
Be  riveted  to  Jesus!” 


Luther's  Faith* 


Here  is  a shield  and  buckler  against  the  assaults 
of  Satan.  Luther  records:  “Once  upon  a time,  the 
devil  came  to  me,  and  said:  ‘Martin  Luther,  you  are 
a great  sinner,  and  you  will  be  damned!’  ‘Stop!  stop!’ 
said  I,  ‘one  thing  at  a time;’  I am  a great  sinner,  it 
is  true,  though  you  have  no  right  to  tell  me  of  it.  I 
confess  it;  what  next?’  ‘Therefore  you  will  be 
damned.’  That  is  not  good  reasoning.  It  is  true  I 
am  a great  sinner;  but  it  is  written,  ‘Jesus  Christ 
came  to  save  sinners;’  therefore  I shall  be  saved. 
Now  go  your  way.’  So  I cut  the  ’devil  off  with  his 
own  sword,  and  he  went  away  mourning  because  he 
could  not  cast  me  down  by  calling  me  a sinner.” 


76 


Glittering  Gems  for  "Willing  Workers* 


PRAYER* 


Good  Cheer* 


BY  FRANCIS  W.  BOURDILLON. 


The  night  has  a thousand  eyes, 

And  the  day  hut  one: 

Yet  the  light  of  the  bright  world  dies 
With  the  dying  sun. 

The  mind  has  a thousand  eyes, 

And  the  heart  but  one; 

Yet  the  light  of  a whole  life  dies 
When  love  is  done. 


A Place  for  Daily  Prayer* 


Every  Christian  should  have  a place  for  daily 
prayer.  The  following  incident  in  the  life  of  Yates, 
the  missionary  to  China,  although  it  has  some  humor 
in  -it,  shows  the  deep  piety  of  the  young  man  while 
at  Wake  Forest  Hill  Academy.  He  found  some  diffi- 
culty in  securing  a secluded  spot,  but  after  looking 
around,  in  the  woods  near  by  he  found  a large  hollow 
oak  tree.  Placing  a plank  on  the  ground  to  protect 
himself  from  dampness,  he  resorted  thither  every 
morning  about  daybreak  to  pray. 

One  morning  while  he  was  praying  he  heard  some 
one  say,  ‘‘Who  dat?”  He  listened  for  a moment, 
then  began  praying  again.  In  an  instant  there  was 
a mighty  yell,  and  looking  out  of  the  tree  he  saw  an 


Glittering;  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


77 


old  colored  man  running  away  as  fast  as  he  could, 
with  a basket  of  corn  on  his  arm,  the  corn  flying  in 
every  direction,  as  he  cried,  “Oh,  Lordy,  have  mercy 
on  dis  poor  nigger,  for  de  day  of  judgment  am  come, 
and  I’se  not  ready.”  Uncle  Remus  was  passing  along 
the  path  which  led  to  the  pig  pen,  but  he  never  went 
that  way  again. 

Throttle  The  DeviL 


Young  Christian,  don’t  think  your  experience  a 
strange  one  if  the  devil  tempts  you  as  you  enter  upon 
your  career  as  a Christian.  The  following  beautiful 
incident  told  by  Matthew  Yates,  the  missionary, 
shows  how  the  devil  tempts  us. 

Yates  had  just  been  baptized,  and  started  to  re- 
turn to  his  home  three  miles  away.  He  was  walking 
alone  and  the  devil  appeared  to  him  and  said,  “Yates, 
now  you’ve  done  it.  See  what  a fool  you  have  made 
of  yourself.  I am  sure  you  are  not  as  happy  as  you 
thought  you  would  be.”  Seeking  some  secluded  spot 
in  the  woods  that  he  might  pray,  he  finally  knelt 
near  a tree  top.  While  praying  he  heard  a great 
noise  near  by,  and  upon  looking  he  beheld  a little 
king  snake  about  two  feet  and  a half  long,  struggling 
with  a large  black  serpent  about  six  feet  long.  The 
large  serpent  did  its  best,  but  presently  the  little 
king  wrapping  itself  around  its  huge  enemy,  by  al- 
ternate contractions  crushed  the  bones  of  the  black 
snake,  and  it  died.  Extricating  itself,  the  little 
king  snake  crawled  away  and  left  its  adversary  dead. 
Yates  continued  his  supplication.  “For  in  this  inci- 
dent,” says  he,  “I  saw  that  the  Lion  of  the  tribe  of  Ju- 
dah, J esus,  is  able  to  conquer  the  old  serpent  himself.  ” 


78 


Glittering;  Gems  for  Willing;  Workers. 


From  the  Right  Side* 


Christ  taught  us  to  ask  to  be  delivered  from  temp- 
tation, but  every  one  understands  that  it  is  necessary 
for  each  of  us  to  avoid  the  path  leading  to  tempta- 
tion if  he  expects  his  prayer  to  be  answered.  A 
prominent  Christian  worker  tells  of  the  way  this 
thought  was  early  impressed  upon  his  mind. 

When  a boy,  I was  much  helped  by  Bishop  Ham- 
line, who  visited  a house  where  I was.  Taking  me 
aside,  the  bishop  said: 

“When  in  trouble,  my  boy,  kneel  down  and  ask 
God’s  help;  but  never  climb  over  the  fence  into  the 
devil’s  ground,  and  then  kneel  down  and  ask  help. 
Pray  from  God’s  side  of  the  fence.” 

Of  that  I have  thought  every  day  of  my  life  since. 

Fulfilled  The  Conditions* 


The  late  George  Muller  said  to  a friend  shortly 
before  he  died,  that  he  expected  to  meet  at  least 
thirty  thousand  people  in  heaven  for  whom  he  had 
definitely  prayed.  “I  believe,”  he  said,  “that  my 
pra3Ters  will  be  answered,  because  I have  fulfilled 
these  five  conditions: 

“1.  I have  had  no  shadow  of  doubt  in  prajfing  for 
their  salvation,  because  I know  that  it  is  the  Lord's 
will  that  they  should  be  saved;  for  he  ‘will  have  all 
men  to  be  saved,  and  to  come  unto  the  knowledge  of 
the  truth’  (1  Tim.  2:4);  ‘and  this  is  the  confidence  we 
have  in  him,  that,  if  we  ask  anything  according  to 
his  will,  he  heareth  us’  (1  John  5:14). 

“2.  I have  not  allowed  myself  to  ask  for  their 


Glittering:  Gems  for  Willing;  Workers. 


79 


salvation  in  my  own  name,  but  in  the  all-worthy 
name  of  my  precious  Lord  Jesus  (John  11:14),  that  is, 
on  the  ground  of  His  merit  and  worthiness,  and  on 
that  alone. 

“3.  I have  always  believed  in  the  ability  and  will- 
ingness of  God  to  answer  my  prayers  (Mark  11;24). 

“4.  I have  not  allowed  myself  in  known  sin,  for 
‘if  I regard  iniquity  in  my  heart,  the  Lord  will  not 
hear  me.’  (Ps.  66:18). 

“5.  I have  continued  in  believing'  prayer  for  over 
fifty-two  years,  and  shall  continue  until  the  answer 
is  given.  ‘Shall  not  God  aveng-e  his  own  elect,  which 
cry  day  and  niglit  unto  him?’  ” 

Should  we  not  imitate  this  good  man’s  example, 
and  “continue  in  prayer,  and  watch  in  the  same  with 
thanksgiving-?” 

Stonewall  Jackson  as  a Man  of  Prayer* 


St.  Paul’s  term,  “instant  in  prayer,”  being-  used 
by  General  Jackson  one  day,  his  sense  of  its  meaning 
was  required. 

“I  can  give  you,”  he  said,  “my  idea  of  it  by  illus- 
tration, if  you  will  allow  it,  and  will  not  think  that  I 
am  setting-  myself  up  as  a model  for  others.” 

On  assurance  being  given  that  there  would  be  no 
misjudgment,  he  went  on  to  say:  “I  have  so  fixed 
the  habit  in  my  own  mind  that  I never  raise  a glass 
of  water  to  my  lips  without  asking  God’s  blessing.  I 
never  seal  a letter  without  putting  a word  of  prayer 
under  the  seal.  I never  take  a letter  from  the  post 
without  a brief  sending  of  my  thought  heavenward. 
I never  change  my  classes  in  the  section-room  with- 


80 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


out  a minute’s  petition  for  the  cadets  who  go  out  and 
those  who  come  in.” 

“And  don’t  you  sometimes  forget  to  do  this?” 

“I  think  I can  scarcely  say  that  I do;  the  habit 
has  become  as  fixed  almost  as  breathing.” 

Yes,  Let  Them  Know* 


In  the  little  Scotch  village  of  Torthorwald,  fifty 
years  ago,  lived  a wretched,  sinful  woman,  an  out- 
cast from  home  and  society,  but  prayed  for  by  an 
elder  of  the  kirk  every  day  of  his  life.  She  knew  he 
prayed  for  her,  and  long  afterward,  when,  by  the 
grace  of  God,  she  had  become  a new  creature,  she 
declared  “that  the  only  thing  that  kept  me  from  de- 
spair and  suicide  was  when  in  the  dark  winter  night 
I crept  close  up  under  that  good  man’s  window  and 
heard  him  pleading  in  family  worship  that  ‘God 
would  convert  the  sinner  from  the  error  of  wicked 
ways,  and  polish  her  as  a jewel  for  the  Redeemer’s 
crown.’  I felt  that  I was  a burden  on  that  righteous 
heart,  and  I knew  that  God  would  not  disappoint 
him.  That  thought  kept  me  out  of  hell,  and  led  me 
at  last  to  the  only  Savior.” 

Shall  we  not  keep  on  praying  for  the  vilest  sin- 
ners, and  let  them  know  that  we  pray  for  them? 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


81 


THE  BIBLE. 


No  Use  In  It. 


No  use  in  mopin’ 

When  skies  ain’t  bright; 

Keep  on  a-hopin’ — 

It’ll  soon  be  light! 

No  use  in  grievin’ 

’Bout  the  milk  you  spill; 

Keep  on  believin’ 

That  the  cow  ’ll  stand  still! 

No  use  in  rowin’ 

’Cos  the  crops  is  slow; 

Keep  on  a-pioughin’ 

An’  they  ’re  bound  to  grow! 

No  use! the  heaven 
Is  above  the  skies; 

Put  in  the  leaven 

An’  the  bread  will  rise! 

— Atlanta  Constitution. 

Daily  Help. 


It  is  said  of  Bossuet  that  wherever  he  went  he 
always  had  with  him  his  Bible.  Wherever  he  lodged 
for  a season  he  always  put  the  holy  volume  in  a 
prominent  place  in  his  apartment.  He  was  accus- 
tomed to  point  to  it,  and  say:  UI  cannot  live  without 
that.”  This  is  the  attitude  which  every  Christian 

6 


82 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


should  hold  toward  the  Bible.  It  is  a book  never  to 
be  slighted.  To  allow  it  to  fail  into  disuse  is  as  se- 
rious as  to  stop  eating  and  drinking,  for  it  is  the 
source  of  human  strength. 

Napoleon  Bonaparte's  Estimate  of  the  Bible* 

The  Bible  is  more  than  a book:  it  is  a living  be- 
ing, with  an  action,  a power  which  invades  every- 
thing that  opposes  its  extension.  Behold  it  upon 
this  table,  this  Book  surpassing  all  others;  I never 
omit  to  read  it,  and  every  day  with  new  pleasure. 

Everything  in  Christ  astonishes  me.  His  Spirit 
overawes  me,  and  his  will  confounds  me.  Between 
him  and  whoever  else  in  the  world  there  is  no  possi- 
ble term  of  comparison:  he  is  truly  a being  by  him- 
self. His  ideas  and  his  sentiments,  the  truth  which 
he  announces,  his  manner  of  convincing,  are  not  ex- 
plained either  by  human  organization  or  by  the 
nature  of  things. 

Truth  should  embrace  the  universe.  Such  is 
Christianity,  the  only  religion  which  destroys  sec- 
tional prejudices,  the  only  one  which  proclaims  the 
unity  and  the  absolute  brotherhood  of  the  whole 
human  family,  the  only  one  which  is  purely  spiritual; 
in  line,  the  only  one  which  assigns  to  all,  without 
distinction,  for  a true  county,  the  bosom  of  the 
Creator,  God.  Christ  proved  that  he  w^as  the  son  of 
the  eternal  by  his  disregard  of  time.  All  his  doc- 
trines signif}'  one  only  and  the  same  thing— eternity. 
What  a proof  of  the  divinity^  of  Christ!  With  an 
empire  so  absolute,  he  has  but  one  single  end — the 
spiritual  amelioration  of  individuals,  the  purity  of 
the  conscience. — Exchange. 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers, 


83 


Take  Time  For  The  Bible* 


As  we  drift  along-  the  swift,  relentless  current  of 
time  toward  the  end  of  life;  as  our  days  and  weeks 
and  months  and  years  follow  each  other  in  breath- 
less haste,  and  we  reflect  now  and  then  for  a moment 
that,  at  any  rate  for  us,  much  of  this  earthly  career 
has  passed  irrevocably,  what  are  the  interests, 
thoug-hts,  aye,  the  books  which  really  command  our 
attention? 

What  do  we  read  and  leave  unread?  What  time 
do  we  give  to  the  Bible?  No  other  Book,  let  us  be 
sure  of  it,  can  equally  avail  to  prepare  us  for  that 
which  lies  before  us;  for  the  unknown  anxieties  and 
sorrows  which  are  sooner  or  later  the  portion  of 
most  men  and  women;  for  the  gradual  approach  of 
death;  for  the  period,  be  it  long  or  short,  of  waiting 
and  preparation  for  the  throne  and  the  face  of  the 
Eternal  Judge. 

Looking  back  from  that  world,  how  shall  we  desire 
to  have  made  the  most  of  our  best  guide  to  it!  How 
shall  we  grudge  the  hours  we  have  wasted  on  any- 
thing— be  they  thoughts  or  books  or  teacher — which 
only  belong  to  the  things  of  time, — Canon  Liddon. 

vv'V 

How  He  Answered  Infidelity* 


An  instance  of  a blind  man’s  familiarity  with  the 
Bible,  which  ought  to  bring  the  blush  to  some  cheeks 
that  enclose  eyes  flashing  with  light,  was  related  by 
Robert  E.  Speer  in  one  of  his  Northfield  addresses. 

Last  year  we  had  a meeting  with  some  Corean 
Christians  who  had  known  the  gospel  but  a few 


84 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


years.  I said  to  them:  “Now,  you  know  that  not 
everybody  in  America  believes  in  this  gospel.  The 
majority  of  the  people  in  our  country  are  not  fol- 
lowers of  Jesus,  and  as  to  this  Bible,  there  are  a 
great  many  who  do  not  believe  in  it;  and  some  day 
they  will  come  here  and  they  will  tell  you  these 
things.  Is  your  faith  in  Christ  and  this  Bible  de- 
pendent on  your  belief  that  a great  nation,  mightier 
and  wiser  than  you,  believes  in  Christ  and  the  Bible? 
Or  does  it  rest  on  other  grounds?  What  will  you 
say  when  men  come  and  question  your  faith  in  Christ 
and  his  word?” 

There  was  a young  man  sitting  down  on  the  floor, 
who  had  been  blind  from  his  early  childhood,  with  the 
marks  of  the  disease  that  had  made  him  blind  all 
over  his  face.  He  raised  his  head  and  said: — 

“I  will  tell  you  what  I would  say.  I would  answer 
him  in  the  words  of  the  nineteenth  and  twentieth 
verses  of  the  fourth  chapter  of  Acts: — ‘Whether  it 
be  right  in  the  sight  of  God  to  hearken  unto  you 
rather  than  unto  God,  judge  ye.  For  wTe  cannot  but 
speak  the  things  which  we  saw  and  heard.” 

I said,  “Do  you  know  all  your  Bible  as  well  as 
that?”  He  could  not  read,  and  they  have  no  raised- 
letter  Bibles  in  Corea. 

“Well,”  said  the  blind  man,  “I  know  my  Bible 
pretty  well.” 

I asked,  “Can  you  tell  me  what  is  in  the  fifteenth 
chapter  of  the  gospel  of  Luke?” 

“Certainly,”  he  said,  “that’s  the  chapter  that  has 
the  parable  of  the  lost  sheep,  the  lost  coin,  and  the 
prodigal  son.” 

“Do  you  know  in  what  chapter  of  Matthew  is  the 
feeding  of  the  five  thousand?” 

“Certainly,”  he  answered;  “it’s in  the  fourteenth.” 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


85 


I thought  it  was  the  twelth,  but  I turned  to  the 
fourteenth  and  found  that  the  blind  man  had  located 
it  correctly. 

He  had  learned  all  he  knew  about  Christ’s  life 
from  his  friends,  who  sat  on  the  floor  of  the  little 
room  in  which  he  lived,  and  read  to  him,  translating 
out  of  an  old  Chinese  Bible  the  whole  life  of  Christ. 

I asked  him  what  he  liked  best  of  all. 

“O,”  he  replied,  “I  like  the  ninth  chapter  of  the 
Gospel  of  John,  that  tells  the  story  of  the  blind  man 
to  whom  Christ  restored  sight.” 

I asked  him  what  he  looked  forward  to  most. 

“Well,”  he  said,  “I  look  forward  most  to  Christ’s 
meeting  me  at  the  gates  of  that  Beulah  Land.  I 
wouldn’t  dare  go  up  to  see  the  Father  alone,  a blind 
man  from  Corea,  but  I shall  wait  at  the  gate  until 
Christ  comes  and  takes  my  hand  and  leads  me  up  to 
his  Father  and  mine.” 

I don’t  know  when  I was  so  rebuked  as  to  my  own 
knowledge  of  the  Bible  as  by  that  poor,  blind  Corean, 
who  had  been  less  than  three  years  a disciple  of 
Christ. 

A Jew's  Testimony* 


A few  months  ago,  in  the  soko,  or  market,  in  Mo- 
gado,  a number  of  Jews  were  standing  around  listen- 
ing to  one  of  the  company  who  was  reading  to  them 
from  a copy  of  “The  Old  Paths.”  A Hungarian 
rabbi,  who  was  passing  by,  stopped,  and,  having  list- 
ened to  the  reading  for  a short  time,  said  to  the 
reader:  “The  book  which  you  are  reading  is  quite  as 
dangerous  to  you  as  the  New  Testament,  and  if  you 


86 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


continue  reading-  it  you  will  cease  to  be  a good  Jew 
— you  will  be  perverted.’’ 

One  of  those  standing*  b}7  answered  him:  ‘‘But, 
rabbi,  we  read  the  New  Testament  now  and  then,  and 
yet  we  are  not  perverted.” 

The  rabbi  shook  his  head  and  said:  “I  am  old  now, 
and  have  traveled  far,  but  believe  me,  in  all  my 
life,  and  during-  all  my  journeys,  I have  never  found 
a Jew,  who,  having-  read  the  New  Testament,  has 
not  become  a Christian  in  heart,  although  he  may 
still  attend  the  synag-og-ue.”  — Jewish  Missionai'y 
Advocate. 

The  Word  Abideth* 


The  Jew  hated  it — but  it  lived  on,  while  the  veil 
was  torn  away  from  the  shrine  which  the  Shekinah 
had  forsaken,  and  while  Jerusalem  itself  was  de- 
stroyed. The  Greek  derided — but  it  has  seen  his 
philosophy  effete  and  his  Acropolis  in  ruins.  The 
Romans  threw  it  into  the  flames — but  it  rose  from  its 
ashes  and  swooped  down  upon  the  falling  eagle.  The 
reasoner  cast  it  into  the  furnace,  which  his  own  neg- 
ligence had  heated  “seven  times  hotter  than  its 
wont,”  but  it  came  out  without  the  smell  of  fire.  The 
formalist  fastened  serpents  around  it  to  poison  it, 
but  it  shook  them  off  and  felt  no  harm.  The  infidel 
cast  it  overboard  in  a tempest  of  sophistry  and  sar- 
casm— but  it  rode  gallantly  upon  the  crest  of  the 
proud  waters.  And  it  is  living  stil] — yet  heard  in 
the  loudest  swelling  of  the  storm — it  has  been  speak- 
ing all  the  while — it  is  speaking  now. — Punshon. 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


87 


Read  Prayerfully* 


“I  find  it  unsafe  to  study  the  Bible  too  much,”  said 
a young*  woman;  “it  gets  me  all  confused,  and  I don’t 
know  what  to  believe.”  It  is  not  an  unusual  confes- 
sion. When  we  learn  how  some  people  study  the 
Bible  we  do  not  wonder  they  become  confused.  If 
they  studied  geography  after  the  same  fashion  they 
would  not  know  whether  the  earth  was  flat  like  a 
pancake  or  round  like  a terrapin’s  back.  And  they 
would  be  uncertain  whether  it  was  intended  that  one 
should  walk  on  one’s  head  or  on  one’s  feet.  No  man 
who  studies  the  Bible  without  common  sense  need  be 
surprised  if  he  gets  his  uncommon  sense  addled. 


88 


Glittering  Cems  for  Willing  Workers. 


COVETOUSNESS. 

‘ **  . 

How  to  Make  Others  Happy. 

Have  you  had  a kindness  shown  ? 

Pass  it  on; 

’Twas  not  given  for  thee  alone — 

Pass  it  on; 

Let  it  travel  down  the  years, 

Let  it  wipe  another’s  tears, 

Till  in  heaven  the  deed  appears — 

Pass  it  on. 

Have  you  found  the  heavenly  ligiit? 

Pass  it  on; 

Souls  are  groping-  in  the  nigiit, 

Daylig-ht  g-one. 

Hold  thy  ligiited  lamp  on  high, 

Be  a star  in  some  one’s  sky; 

He  may  live  who  else  would  die — 

Pass  it  on.  — Union  Signal. 


A little  child  was  one  day  playing  with  a very 
valuable  vase,  when  he  put  his  hand  into  it  and  could 
not  withdraw  it.  His  father,  too,  tried  his  best  to 
get  it  out,  but  all  in  vain.  They  were  talking  of 
breaking  the  vase,  when  the  father  said:  “Now,  my 
son,  make  one  more  trv;  open  your  hand  and  hold 
your  fingers  out  straight,  as  you  see  me  doing,  and 
then  pull.”  To  their  astonishment  the  little  fellow 
said:  “I  couldn’t  put  out  my  fingers  like  that,  for  if 
I did  I would  lose  my  penny.”  He  had  been  holding 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


89* 


on  to  a penny  all  the  time!  No  wonder  he  could  not 
withdraw  his  hand.  How  many  of  us  are  like  him?’ 
Drop  the  copper,  surrender,  let  go,  and  God  will  give 
you  gold. — John  Mac  Neil . 

Nearly  Starved* 

A pitiful  case  of  destitution  was  discovered  in 
New  York  a few  days  ago.  In  one  of  the  tenement 
houses  on  Roosevelt  street,  there  are  a large  number 
of  families,  each  with  only  one  room  for  living  and 
sleeping  accommodation.  They  are  all  miserably 
poor  and  have  nothing  to  spare  for  their  neighbors. 
One  family,  however,  was  worse  off  than  the  others, 
and  at  last  the  people  in  the  adjoining  rooms  called 
the  attention  of  the  police  to  their  condition.  An 
officer  went  to  investigate  and  reported  that  he  had 
never  in  all  his  experience  seen  such  abject  poverty. 
A woman  was  there  with  a babe  only  a few  days  oldr 
and  there  were  three  other  children.  The  only  bed 
was  a heap  of  foul-smelling  rags,  the  onty  seats  were 
some  empty  soap-boxes,  and  the  rest  of  the  furni- 
ture consisted  of  a rusty  stove  and  some  broken 
dishes.  The  woman  was  too  exhausted  by  lack  of 
food  to  speak,  but  revived  after  a meal  had  been 
given  her.  She  said  that  for  some  time  past,  the 
family  had  subsisted  on  scraps  of  food  that  her  hus- 
band picked  from  the  garbage  barrels,  and  they  had 
been  unable  to  get  anything  else  to  eat.  It  was 
noticed  that  she  wore  six  cheap  rings,  with  bright 
stones  in  them,  and  she  was  asked  why  she  did  not 
sell  them  in  the  emergency.  It  appeared  that  she 
set  great  store  on  the  paltry  finery  and  had  pre- 


90 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  "Workers, 


ferred  to  starve  rather  than  part  with  the  rings. 
They  would  not  have  sold  for  much,  but  her  keeping 
them  showed  how  precious  they  were  to  her.  We 
think  her  foolish,  but  she  is  not  alone  in  her  folly 
The  woman  who  would  not  part  with  her  rings  to 
save  her  life  is  not  so  foolish  as  the  person  who  would 
not  part  with  an  estate  to  save  his  soul.  (Luke  12:23). 

The  Scarlet  Thread* 

When  we  understand  our  stewardship  we  shall  see 
that  every  dollar  belongs  to  God.  Dr.  William  Kin' 
caid  says:  “A  friend  of  mine  was  receiving  some 
money  at  the  hands  of  a bank  officer  the  other  day, 
when  he  noticed  suspended  from  one  of  the  bills,  a 
little  scarlet  thread.  He  tried  to  puli  it  out,  but 
found  that  it  was  woven  into  the  very  texture  of  the 
note,  and  could  not  be  withdrawn.  “Ah!”  said  the 
banker,  “you  will  find  that  all  the  Government  bills 
are  made  so  now.  It  is  done  to  prevent  counterfeit- 
ing.” Just  so  Christ  has  woven  the  scarlet  thread 
of  his  blood  into  every  dollar  that  the  Christian 
owns.  It  can  not  be  withdrawn;  it  marks  it  as  his. 
My  brother,  my  sister,  when  you  take  out  a Govern- 
ment note  to  expend  it  for  some  needless  luxury, 
notice  the  scarlet  thread  therein,  and  reflect  that  it 
belongs  to  Christ.  How  can  we  trifle  with  the  price 
of  blood? — A.  T.  Pierson . 

Your  Nearest  Neighbor* 

A young  girl,  on  being  asked  to  join  a society 
which  had  for  its  object  the  helping  of  struggling 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


91 


missionaries  in  the  far  West,  shook  her  head  with 
decision.  “I  find  quite  enough  work  at  home,”  she 
said.  ‘ ‘I  believe  in  trying  to  help  those  nearest  you.  ” 
Now  in  deciding  as  to  whom  we  should  give  assist- 
ance, the  following  holds  a suggestion  that  may 
prove  helpful:  “Every  person  is  near  to  you  whom 
you  can  bless.  He  is  nearest  whom  you  can  bless 
most.” 

Does  not  this  thought  blot  out  distance?  Does  it 
not  bring  close  the  one  who  is  hungry,  to  those  of  us 
who  have  bread  to  spare?  The  starving  thousands 
of  India  are  as  near  us  as  our  neighbor  across  the 
way.  Just  as  human  want  brought  the  Son  of  God 
to  earth,  so  to-day  need  makes  nearness,  and  the  one 
we  touch  most  closely  is  he  who  needs  us  most. 

No  Room  In  The  Inn* 


The  great  world  is  very  much  like  that  inn  at 
Bethlehem,  pre-occupied,  crowded  full  in  every  part, 
so  that,  as  the  mother  of  Jesus  looked  up  wistfully  to 
the  guest-chambers  that  cold  night,  in  like  manner 
Jesus  himself  stands  at  the  door  of  ' these  multitudes, 
knocking  vainly,  till  his  head  is  filled  with  dew,  and 
his  locks  are  wet  with  the  drops  of  the  night.— -Hor- 
ace Bushnell , D.  JD. 


92 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 

9 

CHEERFULNESS. 


Never  Give  Up. 


Never  give  up,  though  all  faint  and  heart-weary; 

Be  the  hopes  thou  hast  buried  but  steps  to  thy  will 
To  mount  the  dim  future,  now  silent  and  dreary; 
Beyond  hope’s  horizon  some  light  lingers  still. 

Never  give  up  while  the  lamp  of  life  burneth, 
Though,  wasted  with  watching  be  feeble  its  flame. 
The  light  may  suffice,  ere  to  darkness  it  turneth, 

On  Time’s  brightest  record  to  blazon  thy  name. 

Never  give  up  till  thine  effort  endue  thee 
With  force  to  overcome  in  the  conflict  of  sin: 
Never  give  up,  though  the  strife  still  subdue  thee; 
Thy  spirit  undaunted  a blessing  will  win. 

Never  give  up;  though  to  thee  be  not  given 

To  perfect  the  good  that  thy  genius  hath  plann’d; 
Another  shall  strive  where  in  vain  thou  has  striven; 
Another  have  strength  in  the  struggle  to  stand. 

“Pleasant  To  Live  With." 


She  had  been  a woman  remarkable  neither  for 
beauty,  culture,  nor  education,  but  when  her  life 
was  ended  and  her  friends  had  looked  for  the  last 
time  at  the  silent  face,  there  was  one  beautiful 
thing  said  over  and  over,  “She  was  so  pleasant  to 
live  with.” 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


93 


Edmund  Burke  said  of  his  wife,  “Every  care  van- 
ished the  moment  I entered  under  my  own  roof.” 

The  larger  work  of  the  world  is  greatly  helped  by 
people  who  are  “pleasant  to  live  with.” 

For  every  great  ocean  steamship  there  are  thous- 
ands of  insignificant  craft  that  carry  more  of  the 
world’s  commerce  than  do  the  ocean  greyhounds. 
For  every  gilt-braided  general,  there  are  thousands  of 
common  soldiers  whose  bayonets  and  bullets  count 
for  more  than  his  gold  lace.  For  every  famous 
worker  there  are  thousands  of  humble  lives  whose 
faithfulness  and  loyalty  are  the  background  of  his 
work.—/.  F.  C. 

am 

Two  Sides* 

Two  boys  went  to  gather  grapes.  One  was  happy 
because  they  found  grapes.  The  other  was  unhappy 
because  the  grapes  had  seeds  in  them. 

Two  men,  being  convalescent,  were  asked  how 
they  were.  One  said,  “I  am  better  today,”  The 
other  said,  “I  was  worse  yesterday.” 

When  it  rains,  one  man  says,  “This  will  make 
mud;”  another,  “This  will  lay  the  dust.” 

Two  boys  examining  a bush,  one  observed  that  it 
had  a thorn;  the  other,  that  it  had  a rose. 

Two  children  looking  through  colored  glasses,  one 
said,  “The  world  is  blue.”  And  the  other  said,  “It 
is  bright.” 

Two  boys  having  a bee,  one  got  honey,  and  the 
other  got  stung.  The  first  called  it  a honey  bee;  the 
other,  a stinging  bee. 

“I  am  glad  that  I live,”  says  one  man.  “I  am 
sorry  I must  die,”  says  another. 


94 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


“I  am  glad,”  says  one,  “that  it  is  no  worse.”  “I 
am  sorry,”  says  another,  “that  it  is  no  better.” 

One  says,  “Our  good  is  mixed  with  evil.”  An- 
other says,  “Our  evil  is  mixed  with  good.” 

A Streak  of  Sunshine* 


“Well,  grandma,”  said  a little  boy,  resting  his 
elbows  on  the  old  lady's  stuffed  arm-chair,  “what 
have  you  been  doing  here  at  the  window  all  da3'  by 
yourself?” 

“All  I could,”  answered  grandma,  cheerily:  “I 
have  read  a little  and  prayed  a good  deal,  and  then 
looked  out  at  the  people.  There's  one  little  girl. 
Arthur,  that  I have  learned  to  watch  for.  She  has 
sunn3T  brown  hair,  her  brown  eyes  have  the  same 
sunny  look  in  them,  and  I wonder  every  day  what 
makes  her  look  so  bright.  Ah,  here  she  comes  now.” 

“That  girl  with  the  brown  apron  on?”  he  cried. 
“Wh3%  I know  that  girl.  That’s  Susie  Moore,  and 
she  has  a dreadful  hard  time,  grandma.” 

“Has  she?”  said  grandma.  “O,  little  boy,  wouldn't 
you  give  an3Tthing  to  know  where  she  gets  all  that 
brightness  from,  then?” 

“I’ll  ask  her,”  said  Arthur  promptly,  and.  to 
grandma's  surprise,  he  raised  the  window  and  called: 

“Susie,  O,  Susie,  come  up  here  a minute;  grandma 
wants  to  see  yonV' 

The  brown  e3^es  opened  wide  in  surprise,  but  the 
little  maid  turned  at  once  and  came  in. 

“Grandma  wants  to  know,  Susie  Moore,”  exclaimed 
the  boy,  “what  makes  you  look  so  bright  all  the 
time.” 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


95 


“Why,  I have  to,”  said  Susie.  “You  see,  papa’s 
been  sick  a long  while,  and  mamma  is  tired  out  with 
nursing,  and  baby’s  cross  with  her  teeth,  and  if  I 
didn’t  be  bright,  who  would  be?” 

“Yes,  yes,  I see,”  said  dear  old  grandma,  putting 
her  arms  around  this  little  streak  of  sunshine. 
“That’s  God’s  reason  for  things;  they  are  because 
somebody  needs  them.  Shine  on,  little  sun;  there 
couldn’t  be  a better  reason  for  shining  than  because 
it  is  dark  at  home.” — The  Sunbeam. 


How  the  Grumbler  Was  Cured* 


Some  years  ago,  a pastor  of  a little  church  in  a 
small  town  became  exceedingly  discouraged,  and 
brooded  over  his  trials  to  such  an  extent  that  he  be- 
came an  inveterate  grumbler.  He  found  fault  with 
his  brethren  because  he  imagined  they  did  not  treat 
him  well.  A brother  minister  was  invited  to  assist 
him  a few  days  in  a special  service.  At  the  close  of 
the  Sabbath  morning  service  our  unhappy  brother 
invited  the  minister  to  his  house  to  dinner.  While 
they  were  waiting  alone  in  the  parlor  he  began  his 
doleful  story  by  saying: 

“You  have  no  idea  of  my  troubles;  and  one  of  the 
greatest  is  that  my  brethren  in  the  church  treat  me 
very  badly.” 

The  other  propounded  the  following  questions: 
“Did  they  ever  spit  in  your  face?” 

“No;  they  haven’t  come  to  that.” 

“Did  they  ever  smite  you?” 

“No.” 

“Did  they  ever  crown  you  with  thorns?” 


96  Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 

This  last  question  lie  could  not  answer  but  bowed 
his  head  thoughtfully.  The  other  replied: 

“Your  Master  and  mine  was  thus  treated,  and  all 
his  disciples  fled  and  left  him  in  the  hands  of  the 
wicked.  Yet  he  opened  not  his  mouth.  ” 

The  effect  of  this  conversation  was  wonderful. 
Both  ministers  bowed  in  prayer  and  earnestly  sought 
to  possess  the  mind  which  was  in  Christ  Jesus.  Dur- 
ing the  ten  days’  meeting  the  discontented  pastor 
became  wonderfully  changed.  He  labored  and 
prayed  with  his  friend,  and  many  souls  were  brought 
to  Christ. 

Some  weeks  after,  a deacon  of  the  church  wrote 
and  said:  “Your  late  visit  and  conversation  with 
our  pastor  have  had  a wonderful  influence  for  good. 
We  [never  hear  him  complain  now,  and  he  labors 
more  prayerfully  and  zealously.” — Moody's  Anecdotes. 

Sing  At  Your  Work* 


When  the  sailors  heave  the  anchor,  they  start  a 
song,  to  the  music  of  which  they  keep  time.  When 
a regiment  marches  to  battle,  the  band  plays  martial 
airs  to  stimulate  and  strengthen  them.  When  the 
machinery  of  daily  occupation  runs  smoothly  and 
without  friction,  the  wheels  must  be  well  oiled  with 
cheerfulness. 

“Give  us,  oh,  give  us,”  cried  Carlyle,  “the  man 
who  sings  at  his  work!  Be  his  occupation  what  it 
may,  he  is  equal  to  any  of  those  who  follow  the  same 
pursuit  in  silent  sullenness.  He  will  do  more  in  the 
same  time — he  will  do  it  better — he  will  persevere 
longer.  Wondrous  is  the  strength  of  cheerfulness; 


Glittering  Gems  for  Wining  Workers. 


97 


altogether  past  calculation  is  its  ‘power  of  endur- 
ance!” 

The  task  may  be  heavy  and  full  of  drudgery,  but, 
if  it  is  fulfilled  in  a brave  and  cheerful  spirit,  it  will 
lose  the  gayness  of  its  monotony,  and  shine  with  a 
new  lustre.  The  dull  day  grows  bright  and  the 
dreary  burden  grows  light  with  the  coming  of  cheer- 
fullness. — Dr.  Sutherland. 


A Word  To  Boys* 


You  are  made  to  be  kind,  boys — generous,  mag- 
nanimous. If  there  is  a boy  in  school  who  has  a 
club-foot,  don’t  let  him  know  you  ever  saw  it.  If 
there  is  a poor  boy,  with  ragged  clothes,  don’t  talk 
about  rags  in  his  hearing'.  If  there  is  a lame  boy, 
assign  him  some  part  in  the  game  that  doesn’t 
require  running.  If  there  is  a hungry  one,  give  him 
part  of  your  dinner.  If  there  is  a dull  one,  help 
him  to  get  his  lesson,  If  there  is  a bright  one,  be 
not  envious  of  him:  for  if  one  boy  is  proud  of  his 
talents  and  another  is  envious  of  them,  there  are 
two  great  wrongs  and  no  more  talent  than  before. 
If  a larger  or  stronger  boy  has  injured  you,  and  is 
sorry  for  it,  forgive  him.  All  the  school  will  show 
by  their  countenances  how  much  better  it  is  than  to 
have  a great  fuss. — Horace  Mann. 


98 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


INFLUENCE. 


Few  Are  Glad. 

BY  MRS.  PRENTISS. 


Hast  Thou,  my  Master,  aught  for  me  to  do 
To  honor  Thee  to-day? 

Hast  Thou  a word  of  love  to  some  poor  soul 
That  I may  say? 

For  see,  this  world  that  Thou  hast  made  so  fair 
Within  its  heart  is  sad: 

Thousands  are  lonely,  thousands  weep  and  sigh, 
But  few  are  glad. 

A Remarkable  Incident. 


Two  Americans  who  were  crossing*  the  Atlantic 
met  in  the  cabin  on  Sunday  night  to  sing  hymns. 
As  they  sang  the  last  h3nnn,  * ‘Jesus,  Lover  of  My 
Soul,55  one  of  them  heard  an  exceedingly  rich  and 
beautiful  voice  behind  him.  He  looked  around,  and 
although  he  did  not  know  the  face,  he  thought  that 
he  knew  the  voice.  So  when  the  music  ceased,  he 
turned  and  asked  the  man  if  he  had  been  in  the 
Civil  War.  The  man  replied  that  he  had  been  a 
Confederate  soldier.  “Were  you  at  such  a place  on 
such  a night?55  asked  the  first. 

“Yes,55  he  replied,  “and  a curious  thing  happened 
that  night  which  this  hymn  has  recalled  to  my  mind. 
I was  posted  on  sentry  duty  near  the  edge  of  a wood. 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


99 


It  was  a dark  night  and  very  cold,  and  I was  a little 
frightened,  because  the  enemy  was  supposed  to  be 
very  near.  About  midnight,  when  everything  was 
still,  and  I was  feeling  homesick,  and  miserable,  and 
weary,  I thought  that  I would  comfort  myself  by 
praying  and  singing  this  hymn: 

4 All  my  trust  on  thee  is  stayed, 

All  my  help  from  the  I bring; 

Cover  my  defenseless  head 
With  the  shadow  of  thy  wing.’ 

“After  singing  that  a strange  peace  came  down 
upon  me,  and  through  the  long  night  I felt  no  more 
fear.”  “Now,”  said  the  other,  “listen  to  my  story, 
I was  a Union  soldier,  and  was  in  the  wood  that  night 
with  a couple  of  scouts.  I saw  you  standing,  al- 
though I did  not  see  your  face.  My  men  had  their 
rifles  focused  upon  you,  waiting  the  word  to  fire;  but 
when  you  sang  out — 

“ ‘Cover  my  defenseless  head 
With  the  shadow  of  thy  wing,’ 

I said,  ‘Boys,  lower  your  rifles;  we  will  go  home.’  ” — 
Drummond. 

A Boy's  Work* 

Dr.  Phillip  was  sent  for,  on  one  occasion,  to  go  to 
a little  village  in  an  out-of-the-way  corner  of  his 
great  diocese  in  -India,  to  baptize  and  receive  into 
church  fellowship  some  sixty  or  seventy  adult  con- 
verts from  Hindooism.  He  went  very  giadly,  exam- 
ined them,  and  decided  it  wise  to  baptize  them  all. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  proceedings  he  had 
noticed  a boy  about  fifteen  years  of  age  sitting  in  a 


100 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  "Workers. 


back  corner,  looking-  very  anxiously  and  listening 
very  wistfully.  He  now  came  forward.  “What!  my 
boy,  do  you  want  to  join  the  church?”  “Yes,  sir.” 
“But  you  are  very  young,  and  if  I were  to  receive 
you  into  fellowship  with  this  church  to-day,  and 
then  you  were  to  slip  aside,  it  would  bring  discredit 
upon  this  church  and  do  great  injury  to  the  cause  of 
Christ.  I shall  be  coming  this  way  again  in  about 
six  months.  Now  you  be  very  loyal  to  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  during  that  time,  and  if,  when  I come 
again  at  the  end  of  the  half-year,  I find  you  stead- 
fast and  true,  I will  baptize  and  receive  you  very 
gladly.”  No  sooner  was  this  said  than  all  the  people 
rose  to  their  feet,  and  some  speaking  for  the  rest, 
said,  “Why,  sir,  it  is  he  that  has  taught  us  all  that 
we  know  about  Jesus  Christ.” 

And  so  it  turned  out  to  be.  This  was  the  little 
minister  of  the  little  church,  the  honored  instrument 
in  the  hand  of  God  of  saving  all  the  rest  for  Jesus 
Christ. 

A Parable* 


One  night  a man  took  a little  taper  out  of  a 
drawer,  and  lighted  it,  and  began  to  ascend  a long, 
winding  stair. 

“Where  are  you  going?”  said  the  taper. 

“Away  high  up,”  said  the  man;  “higher  than  the 
top  of  the  house  where  we  sleep.” 

“And  what  are  you  going  to  do  there?”  said  the 
tr  per. 

“I  am  going  to  show  the  ships  out  at  sea  where 
he  harbor  is,”  said  the  man.  “For  we  stand  here  at 
the  entrance  to  the  harbor,  and  some  ships  far  out 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers.  101 

on  the  stormy  sea  may  be  looking  for  our  light  even 
now.” 

“Alas!  no  ship  could  ever  see  my  light,”  said  the 
little  taper,  “it  is  so  very  small.” 

“If  your  light  is  small,”  said  the  man,  “keep  it 
burning  bright  and  leave  the  rest  to  me.” 

Well,  when  the  man  got  up  to  the  top  of  the 
lighthouse — for  this  was  a lighthouse  they  were  in 
— he  took  the  little  taper,  and  with  it  lighted  the 
great  lamps  that  stood  ready  there  with  their 
polished  reflectors  behind  them. 

O boys  and  girls,  who  think  your  little  light  of  so 
small  account,  can  you  not  see  what  God  may  do 
with  it?  Shine — and  leave  the  rest  to  him. — The 
Wellspring. 

Only  a Pin* 

“Only  two  or  three  days  ago  an  overseer  in  an 
English  mill  found  a pin  which  cost  the  company 
nearly  a hundred  pounds.” 

“Was  it  stolen?”  asked  Susie.  “I  suppose  it  must 
have  been  very  handsome.  Was  it  a diamond  pin?” 
“Oh,  no,  my  dear!  not  by  any  means.  It  was  just 
such  a pin  as  people  buy  every  day  and  use  without 
stint.  Here  is  one  in  my  dress.” 

“Such  a pin  as  that  cost  nearly  a hundred 
pounds!”  exclaimed  John.  “I  don’t  believe  it.” 

“But  mamma  says  it  is  a true  story,”  interposed 
Susie. 

“Yes,  I know  it  is  true.  And  this  is  the  way  the 
pin  happened  to  cost  so  much.  You  know  that 
calicos,  after  they  are  printed  and  washed  and 
dried,  are  smoothed  by  being  passed  over  heated 


102 


Glitterir.gr  Gems  for  Witling:  Workers. 


rollers.  Well,  by  some  mischance,  a pin  dropped  so 
as  to  lie  upon  the  principal  roller,  and  indeed  became 
wedged  into  it,  the  head  standing  out  a little  from 
the  surface. 

“Over  and  over  went  the  roller,  and  round  and 
round  went  the  cloth,  winding  at  length  upon  still 
another  roller,  until  the  piece  was  easured  off. 
Then  another  piece  began  to  be  dried  and  wound, 
and  so  on  until  a hundred  pieces  had  been  counted 
off.  These  were  not  examined  immediately,  but  re- 
moved from  the  machinery  and  laid  aside.  When 
at  length  they  came  to  be  inspected,  it  was  found 
that  there  were  holes  in  every  piece  throughout  the 
web,  and  only  three-quarters  of  a yard  apart.  Now, 
in  every  piece  there  were  from  thirty-five  to  forty- 
five  yards,  and  at  ninepence  a yard  that  would  count 
tip  to  about  one  hundred  and  eighty  pounds. 

“Of  course  the  goods  could  not  be  classed  as  per- 
fect goods,  so  they  were  sold  as  remnants,  at  about 
half  the  price  they  would  have  brought  had  it  not 
been  for  that  hidden  pin. 

“Now  it  seems  to  me  that  when  a boy  takes  for 
his  companion  a profane  swearer,  a Sabbath-breaker, 
or  a lad  who  is  untruthful,  and  a little  girl  has  for 
her  playmate  one  who  is  unkind  and  disobedient,  or 
in  any  way  a wicked  child,  they  are  like  the  roller 
which  took  to  its  bosom  the  pin.  Without  their  be- 
ing able  to  help  it,  often  the  evil  influence  clings  to 
them,  and  leaves  its  mark  upon  everybody  with 
whom  they  come  in  contact. 

“That  pin  damaged  irreparably  4,000  yards  of  new 
print,  but  bad  company  has  ruined  thousands  of 
souls  for  whom  Christ  died.  Remember,  ‘one  sinner 
destroyed  much  good,  ’ therefore  avoid  evil  compan- 
ions.”— Church  Echo . 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


103 


A Word  in  Due  Season* 


The  story  is  told  of  Mr.  Whitefield,  the  great 
evangelist,  that  he  was  won’t  to  talk  with  the  mem- 
bers of  each  household  about  their  souls.  Once  at 
the  house  of  a certain  colonel,  he  was  so  hospitably 
received,  that  he  did  not  like  to  speak  to  them 
about  decision  for  God,  so  he  wrote  upon  a diamond- 
shaped pane  of  glass  in  the  window  with  his  ring, 
these  words:  “One  thing  thou  lackest.” 

He  could  not  bring  himself  to  speak  to  them,  but 
went  his  way  with  many  a prayer  for  their  conver- 
sion. 

He  had  no  sooner  gone  than  the  good  woman  of 
the  house,  who  was  a great  admirer  of  him,  said: 

“I  will  go  up  to  his  room;  I like  to  look  at  the 
very  place  where  the  man  of  God  has  been.” 

She  went  up  and  noticed  on  the  window  pane 
those  words,  “One  thing  thou  lackest.”  It  struck 
her  with  conviction  in  a moment.  She  called  her 
daughters  up. 

“Look  there,  girls!”  said  she,  “see  what  Mr. 
Whitefield  has  written  on  the  window:  ‘One  thing 
thou  lackest.’  Call  up  your  father.” 

And  the  father  came  up  and  read  that  too:  “One 
thing  thou  lackest!”  and  around  the  bed  whereon 
the  man  of  God  had  slept,  they  all  knelt  down  and 
sought  that  God  would  give  them  the  one  thing  they 
lacked,  and  ere  they  left  that  chamber  they  had 
found  that  one  thing,  and  the  whole  household  re- 
joiced in  Jesus. 

It  is  not  long  since  the  writer  met  with  a friend, 
one  bf  whose  church  members  preserves  that  very 
pane  of  glass  in  her  family,  as  an  heirloom. — Ex . 


104 


Glittering;  Gems  for  Willing;  Workers. 


Lead  and  Silver* 


If  you  put  a piece  of  lead  into  a pocket  full  of 
shilling’s  and  sixpences,  the  lead  has  no  intention  of 
blackening-  its  neighbors:  but  let  them  jingle  to- 
g-ether for  a week  and  then  take  them  out,  and  you 
will  find  the  silver  pieces  ail  black.  So  a bad  man 
blackens  the  soul  of  his  neighbor  without  intending 
it. — The  New  Song. 

No  Grave  For  It* 


It  was  a striking  remark  of  a dying  man  whose 
life  had  been,  alas!  but  poorly  spent:  “O  that  my  in- 
fluence could  he  gathered  up  and  buried  with  me!”  It  was 
too  late;  he  had  put  in  motion  an  agency  which  he 
was  altogether  powerless  to  arrest.  There  is  noth- 
ing we  are  more  prone  to  forget  and  disregard  than 
our  influence  upon  others;  yet  there  is  nothing  we 
should  more  dread — there  is  nothing  for  which  we 
must  hereafter  give  a more  solemn  account. — Chris- 
tian Work. 

Face  Sermons* 


Some  one  tells  of  an  infidel  Swiss  artist  who  was 
serving  the  devil  to  the  extent  of  his  ability,  who 
went  to  Sheffield,  England,  in  1880.  There  he  was 
asked  to  make  a caricature  of  a Salvation  Arm3' 
meeting.  He  ^went  there  on  that  errand,  and  scanned 
the  faces  of  the  people;  he — with  his  heart  like  the 
troubled  sea  that  could  not  find  rest,  tossed  and  driv 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


105* 


en  by  tempests  of  passion,  and  tormented  by  a con- 
science burdened  with  sin — looked  on  the  assembled 
worshipers,  and  saw  peace  written  on  their  faces, 
and  an  inward  joy  beaming-  from  their  countenances. 

The  sight  convinced  him  of  his  sinfulness.  He 
saw  that  those  people  had  something  which  he  lacked 
and  which  he  needed.  He  turned  his  feet  unto  God’s 
testimonies,  believed  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  found 
peace  through  the  blood  of  the  cross,  and  rejoiced 
with  the  rejoicing  ones. — Christian  Union  Ilemld. 

“Our  Walk  and  Conversation*” 

Francis,  of  Assisi,  once  stepped  down  into  the 
cloisters  of  his  monastery,  and,  laying  his  hand  on 
the  shoulder  of  a young  monk,  said; 

“Brother,  let  us  go  down  into  the  town  and 
preach.” 

So  they  went  forth,  the  venerable  father  and  the 
young  mai},  conversing  as  they  went. 

They  wound  their  way  down  the  principal  streets, 
the  lonely  alleys  and  lanes,  and  even  to  the  outskirts 
of  the  town,  and  to  the  village  beyond,  till  they 
found  themselves  back  at  the  monastery  again. 

Then  said  the  young  monk,  “Father,  when  shall 
we  begin  to  preach?” 

And  the  father  looked  kindly  down  upon  his  son, 
and  said: 

“My  child,  we  have  been  preaching;  we  were 
preaching  while  we  were  walking.  We  have  been 
seen,  looked  at;  our  behaviour  has  been  remarked; 
and  so  we  have  delivered  a morning  sermon.  Ah,  my 
son,  it  is  of  no  use  that  we  walk  anywhere  to  preach 
unless  we  preach  as  we  walk. — Paxton  Hood. 


106 


Glittering  Cems  for  Willing  Workers. 


44  Those  Little  Sin s.” 

A vessel  will  sink  whether  filled  with  heavy  stones 
or  with  sand.  Fine  grains  of  sand  will  bury  travel- 
= ers  in  the  desert.  Fine  flakes  of  snow,  so  light  that 
they  seem  to  hang  in  the  air  and  scarce  to  fall,  will, 
if  they  gather  over  the  sleepy  wayfarer,  extinguish 
life:  if  they  drift,  they  will  bury  whole  houses  and 
their  dwellers.  Fine,  delicate  sins,  as  people  think 
them,  will  chill  the  soul  and  take  away  its  life. — 
E.  B.  Posey , D.  JD. 

Firing  at  One  Spot* 


You  have  heard  of  the  old  castle  that  was  taken 
by  a single  gun.  The  attacking  party  had  only  one 
gun,  and  it  seemed  hopeless  to  try  to  take  the  castle; 
but  one  soldier  said:  4T  can  show  you  how  to  take 
the  castle,”  and  he  pointed  the  cannon  to  one  spot 
and  fired,  and  went  on  all  day,  never  moving  the  can- 
non. About  nightfall  there  were  a few  grains  of 
-sand  knocked  off  the  wail. 

He  did  the  same  thing  the  next  day,  and  the  next. 
By  and  by  the  stones  began  to  come  away,  and  by 
-steadily  working  his  gun  for  one  week,  he  made  a 
hole  in  that  castle  big  enough  for  the  army  to  walk 
through. 

Now,  with  a single  gun  firing  away  at  everybody’s 
life,  the  devil  is  trying  to  get  in  at  one  opening. 
Temptation  is  the  practice  of  the  soul;  and  if  you 
never  have  any  temptations,  you  will  never  have  any 
practice. 

Do  not  quarrel  with  your  temptations;  set  your- 
-seif  resolutely  to  face  them. — Professor  Drummond. 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


107 


Washington  and  Napoelon* 

Napoleon  sought  to  rule  men;  Washington  aimed 
to  serve  them.  You  see  the  results  of  the  two  sys- 
tems in  what  is  left  of  them.  At  Waterloo  to-day 
you  find  a great  waste  desert,  in  the  center  of  which 
is  simply  a mound  to  commemorate  a great  battle. 
But  around  the  field  of  Bunker  Hill  sprang  up  the 
.great  city  of  colleges  and  schools,  and  those  influ- 
ences that  went  out  through  all  the  world;  that  is 
the  result  of  the  service  which  Washington  rendered 
in  contrast  to  the  domination  of  Napoleon. 

You  find  at  Mount  Vernon  a very  plain  structure 
for  the  tomb  of  Washington,  scarcely  to  be  noticed, 
except  one  goes  out  of  his  way  to  see  it.  Napoleon’s 
tomb  is  in  the  heart  of  Paris,  and  a marble  casket 
holds  his  remains.  Washington’s  remains  are  as 
broad  as  the  continent.  That  is  the  reward  of  ser- 
vice as  opposed  to  self-seeking. — A.  McKenzie , D.  H. 

What  To  Read  In  The  Sick  Room* 

Many  people  would  be  glad  to  spend  a half-hour 
now  and  then  reading  to  a sick  neighbor  if  they  only 
knew  just  what  to  read,  and  could  be  assured  that 
their  reading  could  do  no  harm. 

We  have  been  asked  to  suggest  some  Bible  read- 
ings especially  adapted  to  the  sick  room.  There  are 
very  few  readings  of  this  sort.  That  is  to  say,  there 
are  very  few  chapters  in  the  Bible  that  will  fit  the 
•cases  of  all  the  people  who  get  sick.  The  Bible  is 
adapted  to  the  individual,  not  to  the  masses,  and  to 
.find  a chapter  suitable  for  a sick  room  depends 
entirely  upon  who  is  in  it. 


108 


Glittering  Gems  for  "Willing  Workers* 


If  the  patient  is  a young-  man,  you  will  have  use 
for  all  the  tact  and  grace  you  can  command.  If  he 
is  a man  of  the  world,  and  you  have  his  consent  to 
read  to  him,  do  not  begin  with,  “He  that  being-  often 
reproved,  hardeneth  his  neck,  shall  suddenly  be  de- 
stroyed, and  that  without  remedy.”  Read  a story — 
a story  of  a blameless  life—  the  life  of  a young-  man 
— say,  Daniel.  Perhaps  you  will  have  to  read  sev- 
eral of  these  before  advancing-.  As  a second  step, 
try  the  story  of  the  interview  between  Christ  and 
the  rich  young-  man.  If  he  receives  this  (and  you 
should  pray  as  you  read  that  he  may  receive  it),  you 
will  find  it  an  easy  matter  to  select  subsequent  read- 
ing’s. 

In  the  event  of  sudden  and  serious  illness,  when 
there  is  no  time  to  spare,  read  to  him  the  offers  of 
the  Gospel,  especially  as  presented  by  John,  and  fol- 
low them  up  with  the  parable  of  the  Prodig-al  Son. 

If  the  patient  is  a young-  Christian,  read  chapters 
that  awaken  a desire  for  a more  consecrated  life — 
e.  y. — the  fifteenth  of  John,  the  twelfth  of  Romans, 
the  thirteenth  of  I.  Corinthians,  and  the  third  of 
I John. 

If  the  patient  (young-  or  old)  is  depressed,  read 
the  sunniest  Psalms. 

It  will  be  easy  to  find  many  precious  chapters  for 
the  invalid:  Psalms  ciii.,  cxix.;  Isaiah  liii. ; John  xiv.; 
Hebrews  xii;  I.  Peter  i.;  Revelation  vii.  Your  de- 
lig-ht  in  reading  these  chapters  will  be  surpassed  only 
by  the  joy  of  the  saint  who  hears  them! 

If  to  sickness  is  added  the  distress  of  poverty  or 
other  trouble,  read  Psalms  xxxvii.,  xci.,  cvii.;  Isaiah 
xli.,  10-14;  Luke  xii. 

In  offering  to  read  to  mature  Christians,  give  then*- 
an  opportunity  to  make  their  own  selections.— 22#. 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


109 


“The  Marks  Are  Left." 


A father  had  a wayward  son  whose  misconduct 
sorely  tried  his  patience.  All  efforts  to  win  the  lad 
to  a life  of  filial  obedience  seemed  to  fail.  One  day 
the  father  took  him  into  the  garden,  and  said:  “My 
son,  whenever  you  disobey  me,  I shall  drive  a nail 
into  this  post,  that  you  may  see  how  often  you  grieve 
me.”  The  days  passed  by.  Nail  after  nail  was 
driven  into  the  post  until  it  had  become  well  stud- 
ded. The  father  called  his  son  into  the  garden,  and, 
pointing  to  the  post,  reproached  him  for  his  willful 
behavior.  He  determined  to  try  a new  plan,  and 
told  the  lad  that  under  certain  conditions  he  would 
draw  out  the  nails  one  at  a time.  The  boy  deter- 
mined to  change  his  conduct.  Nail  after  nail  was 
withdrawn  until  the  post  was  clear.  Taking  him 
again  into  the  garden,  his  father,  pointing  to  the 
post,  said  gladly:  “There’s  not  a nail  left!  Not  a 
nail  left!”  The  boy’s  face  turned  pale;  his  lip  quiv- 
ered: he  burst  into  tears.  “Why  do  you  cry?”  the 
father  asked.  “The  nails  are  all  gone!”  “Yes,”  re- 
plied the  lad,  “but  the  marks  are  left!”  Whether 
this  incident  be  fact  or  fiction,  it  is  sadty  suggestive 
of  facts  in  human  experience.  The  forgiveness  of 
sins  does  not  bring  with  it  the  eradication  of  the 
marks  which  sin  made.  The  sins  and  follies  of  youth 
may  be  pardoned,  “but  the  marks  are  left.”  As  Dr. 
McLaren  puts  it:  “If  you  waste  your  youth,  no  re- 
pentance will  send  the  shadow  back  upon  the  dial, 
or  recover  the  ground  lost  by  idleness,  or  restore  the 
constitution  shattered  by  dissipation,  or  give  again 
the  resources  wasted  upon  vice,  or  bring  back  the 
fleeting  opportunities.  . . . The  wounds  can  all  be 


110 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers, 


healed,  indeed,  for  the  good  Physician,  blessed  be  his 
name,  has  lancets  and  bandages  and  balm  and  ano- 
dynes for  the  deadliest;  but  scars  remain  even  when 
the  gash  is  closed.” 

A Sweet-Minded  Woman* 


So  great  is  the  influence  of  a sweet-minded  woman 
on  those  around  her  that  it  is  almost  boundless.  It- 
is  to  her  that  friends  come  in  seasons  of  sorrow  and 
sickness  for  help  and  comfort;  one  soothing  touch 
of  her  kindly  hand  works  wonders  in  the*  feverish 
child;  a few  words  let  fall  from  her  lips  in  the  ear  of 
a sorrow-stricken  sister  do  much  to  raise  the  load  of 
grief  that  is  bowing  its  victim  down  to  the  dust  in 
anguish.  The  husband  comes  home  worn  out  with 
the  pressure  of  business  and  feeling  irritable  with 
the  world  in  general,  but  when  he  enters  the  cozy 
sitting-room  and  sees  the  blaze  of  fire  and  meets  his 
wife’s  smiling  face,  he  succumbs  in  a moment  to  the 
soothing  influences  which  act  as  the  balm  of  Gilead 
to  his  w'ounded  spirits  that  are  wearied  with  the 
stern  realities  of  life.  The  rough  school-boy  flies 
into  a rage  from  the  taunts  of  his  companions  to  find 
solace  in  his  mother’s  smile;  the  little  one,  full  of 
grief  with  her  large  trouble,  finds  a haven  of  rest  on 
its  mother’s  breast;  and  so  one  might  go  on  with  in- 
stance after  instance  of  the  influence  that  a sweet- 
minded  woman  has  in  the  social  life  with  which  she 
is  connected.  Beauty  is  an  insignificant  powe*  when 
compared  with  hers. — Churchman . 


Glittering;  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


Ill 


OPPORTUNITY* 


Heaven  Overarches* 


Heaven  overarches  earth  and  sea, 
Earth-sadness  and  sea-bitterness, 

Heaven  overarches  you  and  me; 

A little  while  and  we  shall  be — 

Please  God — where  there  is  no  more  sea; 

Nor  barren  wilderness. 

— From  Christina  Rossetti’s  Last  Poem . 

>» 

A Legend* 


A legend  was  told  me  the  other  day  which  may 
interest  you.  A young  man,  discontented  with  his. 
lot,  dreamed  a wonderful  dream.  He  was  carried 
into  a beautiful  country,  and  was  driven  in  state 
through  leafy  bowers  and  under  arching  trees, 
through  groves,  redolent  with  orange  blossoms. 
Rare  exotics  bloomed  on  every  side.  The  place 
seemed  a perfect  fairyland  of  beauty.  After  driv- 
ing for  miles  and  miles,  he  stopped  before  a magnifi- 
cent palace.  It  was  built  of  marble,  and  the  carv- 
ing was  of  the  finest  workmanship.  Its  minarets 
and  domes  were  ornamented  with  rare  jewels,  which 
flashed  in  the  sunshine.  The  doors  were  of  pearls, 
the  floors  of  gold,  and  the  ceilings,  instead  of  being 
frescoed,  were  studded  with  rubies  and  diamonds. 
The  building  was  of  enormous  size,  covering,  with 
its  wings,  fully  a square  mile,  and  everything  was  on 


112 


GUttcring  Gems  for  "Willing  Workers. 


a scale  of  rare  splendor.  Stepping'  to  one  side  of 
the  palace,  his  eye  resting-  on  a dark  brown  niche, 
small,  but  in  such  a striking  contrast  to  the  place, 
that  he  asked  the  guide  what  it  meant  and  why  that 
was  not  marble,  also,  and  set  around  with  precious 
stones.  Imagine  the  young  man’s  surprise  when  he 
said,  “The  fault  is  yours.  This  is  the  Palace  Beau- 
tiful, and  this  is  your  niche.  You  have  been  un- 
happy because  of  your  lowly  station  in  life,  and 
since  you  could  not  have  a position  of  prominence, 
you  have  spent  your  time  discontented,  while  others 
have  been  improving  their  time  and  talents.  It 
rests  upon  you  alone  to  make  this  palace  perfect.” 
The  young  man  awoke,  saw  the  lesson  taught  by  his 
dream,  and  set  to  work  to  marbleize  his  brown  niche. 
— New  York  Evangelist. 

v\»V 

Not  Yet, 


The  Parisian  mob  came  around  the  Tuilleries. 
The  national  guard  stood  in  defence  of  the  palace, 
and  the  commander  said  to  Louis  Philippe,  “Shall  I 
fire  now?  Shall  I order  the  troops  to  fire?  With 
one  volley  e can  clear  the  place.”  “No,”  said 
Louis  Philippe,  “not  yet.”  A few  minutes  passed  on, 
and  then  Louis  Philippe,  seeing  the  case  was  hope- 
less, said  to  the  general,  “Now  is  the  time  to  fire.” 
“No,”  said  the  general,  “it  is  too  late  now;  don’t  }7ou 
see  that  the  soldiers  are  exchanging  arms  with  the 
citizens?  It  is  too  late.”  Down  went  the  throne  of 
Louis  Philippe.  “Not  yet”  has  ruined  many  a soul 
and  hindered  many  a notable  enterprise. 


Glittering:  Gems  for  Willing  Workers.  H3 


FORGIVENESS* 


Forgive  and  Forget* 


Forgive  and  forget!  Why,  the  world  would  be  lonety, 
The  garden  a wilderness  left  to  deform, 

If  the  flowers  but  remember’d  the  chilling  winds  only, 
And  the  fields  gave  no  verdure  for  fear  of  the  storm. 
Oh,  still  in  thy  loveliness  emblem  the  flower; 

Give  the  fragrance  of  feeling  to  sweeten  life’s  way; 
And  prolong  not  again  the  brief  cloud  of  an  hour, 
With  tears  that  but  darken  the  rest  of  the  day. 

Forgive  and  forget!  There’s  no  breast  so  unfeeling 
But  some  gentle  thoughts  of  affection  there  live; 
And  the  best  of  us  all  require  something  concealing, 
Some  heart  that  with  smiles  can  forget  and  forgive. 
Then  away  with  the  cloud  from  those  beautiful  eyes; 

That  brow  was  no  home  for  such  frowns  to  have  met; 
Oh,  how  could  our  spirits  e’er  hope  for  the  skies, 

If  heaven  refused  to  forgive  and  forget? 

— Charles  Swain. 

Set  The  Clock  Right. 


A story  is  told  of  a colored  man  who  came  to  a 
watchmaker  and  gave  him  the  two  hands  of  a clock, 
saying: 

“I  want  yer  to  fix  up  dese  han’s.  Dey  jess  doan 
keep  no  mo’  kerec’  time  for  mo’  den  six  munfs.” 
“Where  is  the  clock?”  answered  the  watchmaker. 
“Out  at  de  house  on  Injun  Creek.” 

“But  I must  have  the  clock.” 

8 


114  Glittering;  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 

“Didn’t  I tell  yer  dar’s  nuffin  de  matter  wid  de 
clock  ’ceptin  de  han’s?  and  I done  brought  ’em  to 
you.  You  ’ess  wants  de  clock  so  you  kin  tinker  wid 
it  and  charge  me  a big  price.  Gimme  back  dem 
han’s.” 

And  so  saying,  he  went  off  to  find  some  reasonable 
watchmaker. 

Foolish  as  he  was,  his  action  was  very  like  that 
of  those  who  try  to  regulate  their  conduct  without 
being  made  right  on  the  inside.  They  go  wrong,  but 
refuse  to  believe  that  the  trouble  is  with  their 
hearts.  They  are  sure  that  it  is  not  the  clock,  but 
the  hands  that  are  out  of  order.  They  know  no 
more  of  the  need  of  a change  in  their  spiritual  con- 
dition than  the  poor  negro  did  of  the  works  of  his 
clock.  They  are  unwilling  to  give  themselves  over 
into  the  hands  of  the  great  Artificer,  who  will  set 
their  works  right,  so  that  they  may  keep  time  with 
the  great  clock  of  the  universe,  and  no  longer  at- 
tempt to  set  themselves  according  to  the  incorrect 
time  of  the  world.  And  their  reason  for  not  putting 
themselves  into  the  hand  of  the  Lord  is  very  similar 
to  the  reason  the  colored  man  gave.  They  are  afraid 
the  price  will  be  too  ‘great.  They  say,  “We  only 
wish  to  avoid  this  or  that  bad  habit.”  But  the 
great  Clockmaker  says,  “I  cannot  regulate  the 
hands  unless  I have  the  clock.  I must  have  the 
clock.  ” — Selected . 

-'Vi'i-. 

The  Power  of  Forgiveness* 

The  power  of  forgiveness  even  for  an  offense 
against  human  law,  is  well  illustrated  in  the  follow- 
ing incident: 


Glittering  Gems  for  'Willing  Workers. 


115 


A soldier  was  about  to  be  brought  before  his  com- 
manding officer  for  some  offense.  He  was  an  old 
offender,  and  had  often  been  punished.  “Here  he  is 
again,”  said  the  officer,  on  his  name  being  mentioned: 
“flogging,  disgrace,  solitary  confinement,  everything 
has  been  tried  on  him.”  Whereupon  the  sergeant 
stepped  forward  and  apologizing  for  the  liberty,  said; 
“There  is  one  thing  that  has  never  been  done  with 
him  yet,  sir.” 

“What  is  that?”  asked  the  officer. 

“Well,  sir,”  said  the  sergeant,  “he  has  never  been 
forgiven.” 

“Forgiven!”  exclaimed  the  colonel,  surprised  at 
the  suggestion.  He  reflected  a few  minutes,  ordered 
the  culprit  to  be  brought  in,  and  asked  him  what  he 
had  to  say  to  the  charge. 

“Nothing,  sir,”  was  the  reply,  “only  I am  sorry 
for  what  I have  done.” 

Turning  a kind  and  pitiful  look  on  the  man,  who 
expected  nothing  else  than  that  his  punishment 
would  be  increased  with  the  repetition  of  the  offense,, 
the  colonel  addressed  him,  saying:  “Well,  we  have 
tried  everything  with  you,  and  we  have  resolved  to 
— forgive  you.” 

The  soldier  was  struck  dumb  with  amazement;  the 
tears  started  in  his  eyes,  and  he  wept  like  a child. 
He  was  humbled  to  the  dust,  and,  thanking  his  officer, 
he  retired — to  be  the  old  refractory,  incorrigible 
man?  No!  from  that  day  forward  he  was  a new  man. 
He  who  told  the  story  had  him  for  years  under  his 
eye,  and  a better  conducted  man  never  wore  the 
queen’s  colors. — The  Standard . 


116 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


SALVATION. 


Never  Forgets  His  Own. 


Do  you  think  that  the  Lord  forgets  you 
Because  you  must  fight  and  pray, 
And  reap  the  sorrow  harvest 
You’ve  sown  from  day  to  day? 

Do  you  think  that  He  lets  you  suffer 
And  never  heeds  your  moan? 

Ah,  no!  for  the  dear  Lord  Jesus 
Will  never  forget  His  own. 

Promise  of  Pardon. 


A boy  was  seen  near  the  Staten  Island  ferry  beg- 
ging from  passers-by.  His  manner  and  general  ap- 
pearance indicated  that  he  was  not  used  to  begging', 
and  the  attention  of  a detective  was  called  to  him. 

The  boy,  on  being  questioned,  gave  his  name  and 
address.  He  said  he  was  trying  to  get  a few  pennies 
to  pay  his  fare  to  Staten  Island,  wfcere  his  parents 
. lived.  Two  weeks  previously  he  had  run  away  from 
home  on  the  suggestion  of  a strange  man  who  had 
made  his  acquaintance  on  the  boat.  The  man  had 
taken  an  interest  in  him,  and  had  promised  that  if 
he  would  come  and  live  with  him  he  should  have 
plenty  of  pleasure  and  become  a rich  man.  He 
often  met  the  man,  who  pressed  his  offer  upon  him 
whenever  he  saw  him.  Finally  the  boy  yielded,  and 
went  to  live  with  his  new  friend. 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


117 


The  man  had  been  kind  to  him,  but  the  boy  soon 
learned  what  he  was  wanted  for.  He  was  to  go  into 
hotels  and  apartment-houses  and  steal  any  valuables 
he  could  find.  The  man  also  showed  him  how  to  steal 
jewelry  from  stores.  The  boy  soon  realized  that  he 
had  been  duped.  He  saw  that  he  was  on  his  way 
rather  to  a prison  than  a mansion,  and  he  took  the 
first  opportunity  of  leaving-  his  employer. 

He  showed  more  wisdom  in  quitting-  such  a ser- 
vice and  returning-  to  his  home  than  some  do  who 
have  been  lured  away  from  their  heavenly  Father 
by  the  promise  of  pleasure  and  worldly  success.  Yet 
the  assurance  of  pardon  and  welcome  which  God 
gives  is  unqualified. 

“I  will  heal  their  backsliding  and  love  them 
freely.”  (Hos.  14:4.) — The  Christian  Herald. 

A Boy's  Story* 


“I  was  out  in  the  garden  one  day,”  said  a boy, 
4 ‘when  a bee  came  buzzing  all  around  me;  and  being 
afraid  that  I should  be  stung,  I called  out,  ‘Mother! 
oh,  mother!’  She  quickly  came  to  my  help,  and  led 
me  in-doors;  but  the  bee  came  in,  too,  and  there  it 
was  buzzing  about  mother  and  me;  so  she  lifted  up 
her  apron  and  covered  my  head  with  it,  that  the  bee 
could  not  get  near  me. 

“Well,  while  I was  covered  with  mother’s  apron, 
the  bee  settled  on  her  arm  and  stung  her.  But  it 
left  its  sting  behind,  and  she  took  me  from  under  her 
apron,  showed  me  the  sting  still  in  her  arm,  and  said 
the  bee  could  never  sting  any  one  else,  because  it 
had  left  its  sting  in  mother’s  arm. 


118 


Glittering  Gems  for  'Willing  Workers. 


“Then  she  said  that  like  the  way  she  had  borne 
the  sting-  for  me,  so  Jesus  had  borne  death  for  me; 
that  he  had  destroyed  the  power  of  Satan,  our  enemy; 
and  that  if  I believed  that  he  had  really  done  this 
for  me,  all  my  sins  would  be  g-one.  I did  believe, 
then,  sir:  and  so  I am  a Christian  boy.” 

This  was  a little  boy’s  story,  and  the  gentleman  to 
whom  he  told  it  could  not  say  nay  to  it;  he  could  only 
add:  “May  God  bless  you,  boy,”  as  he  bade  him  good- 
bye. 

“ Peace!  Peace  ln 


Toward  the  close  of  the  war  of  1812,  the  country 
was  shrouded  in  deep  gloom;  the  harbors  were  block- 
aded, commerce  destroyed,  products  mouldering  in 
the  warehouses,  and  the  currency  depreciated. 

In  February  a ship  drew  near  to  New  York,  bring- 
ing the  commissioners  from  Ghent,  aud  the  news 
that  the  treaty  of  peace  was  signed.  Men  rushed 
breathless  to  the  city,  shouting  “Peace,  peoxe!”  From 
house  to  house,  from  street  to  street,  amid  waving 
torches,  all  went  shouting,  “Peace,  peace  ! ” 

More  joyful  is  the  news  of  peace  brought  from 
God  by  the  angels.  We,  too,  should  not  keep  silent, 
but  repeat  the  news  of  peace  till  all  the  world  shall 
hear. — Peloubet's  Notes . 

The  Christmas  Message  Yours* 

The  writer  found  himself,  in  the  fortunes  of  war, 
a prisoner  in  Libby  prison  at  Richmond.  One  evening, 
as  the  prisoners  lay  down  to  sleep,  the  story  was 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers*  119 

whispered  among  them  that  a flag-of-truce  boat  had 
come  up  the  river,  and  that  some  one  of  their  num- 
ber was  to  be  released  the  next  day. 

That  was  glad  tidings  for  all;  but  the  question  in 
every  prisoner’s  mind  was,  “Am  1 to  be  released?” 
There  were  many  dreams  of  home  that  night  on  that 
prison  floor. 

In  the  early  morning,  after  roll-call,  there  was 
breathless  expectancy  for  the  name  of  the  favored 
prisoner.  It  was  the  name  of  Chaplain  Trumbull. 

Those  glad  tidings  had  a meaning  to  him  they 
could  not  have  to  any  of  his  companions.  To  him 
there  came  that  day  the  message  of  deliverance 
from  bondage,  and  he  passed  out  of  his  prison  house 
thanking  God  that  the  message  was  for  him. — H . Clay 
Trumbull , D.  D. 

sue 

Icy  Death* 

Death,  decked  in  his  icy  armor,  and  vigorously 
handling  his  keen  edged  scythe,  is  approaching  each 
®f  us  with  the  rapidity  of  a lightning  express.  Only 
a few  more  curves  in  our  road,  a few  more  steep 
grades  to  climb,  until  we  shall  reach  the  hill  top, 
then,  with  the  velocity  of  the  hurricane  we  shall  go 
down  the  steep  grade  into  death’s  icy  arms.  Are  we 
ready  for  the  collision?  Have  we  peace  with  God 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ?  Are  we  prepared 
to  meet  our  creator  and  preserver?  Is  our  life  hid 
with  Christ  in  God?  Shall  we  receive  the  welcome: 
“Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant,”  from  the 
Master?  Will  the  world  have  been  any  better  for 
our  having  lived  in  it?  What  shall  we  be  engaged  in 
when  the  crash  comes?  “Prepare  to  meet  thy  God.” 


120 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  "Workers, 


Death  Will  Come  One  Day, 


Oh,  friends,  you  may  have  comforts — personal, 
domestic,  social — now,  and  you  seem  to  yourselves 
to  need  nothing'  more.  Death  will  come  one  day, 
and  the  comforts  will  all  drop  out  of  your  hand.  You 
will  go,  if  unbelievers,  into  the  other  world,  not  only 
paupers,  but  criminals,  unpardoned,  under  the  curse 
of  a broken  law,  under  wrath  that  endureth  forever. 
Do  not  put  off  the  securing’  of  salvation.  Let  the 
dwellers  in  a house  which  has  “taken  fire”  be  aroused, 
and  with  what  haste  they  rush  out  of  it  to  save  their 
lives!  “Delay  not,  delay  not,  O sinner!”  Go  in  faith 
and  penitence  to  God  in  Christ.  Flee  from  the  wrath- 
to  come,  and  you  will  be  able  to  say  at  length,  “Now 
are  we  the  sons  of  God!”  May  the  blessing-  of  the 
God  of  salvation  attend  and  render  effectual  his  holy 
word! — Dr.  John  Hall. 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


121 


PERSEVERANCE, 
Sowing  and  Reaping;, 

BY  REV.  SIDNEY  DYER,  PH.  D. 

Ambition’s  flights  and  high  renown, 
Oft  bring-  the  haughty  spirit  down, 
While  God  may  fill  a bitter  cup, 

To  lift  the  meek  and  lowly  up: 

The  flesh  but  leads  to  grief  and  pain, 
The  spirit  yields  immortal  gain. 


What  The  Spider  Said* 

“I  was  spinning  a web  in  the  rose  vine,”  said  the 
spider,  “and  the  little  girl  was  sewing  patchwork  on 
the  doorstep.  Her  thread  knotted  and  her  needle 
broke,  and  her  eyes  were  full  of  tears.  ‘I  can’t  do 
it,’  she  said.  ‘I  can’t!  I can’t!’ 

“Then  her  mother  came,  and  bade  her  look  at  me. 
Now,  every  time  I spun  a nice,  silky  thread,  and 
tried  to  fasten  it  from  one  branch  to  another,  the 
wind  blew  and  tore  it  away. 

“This  happened  many  times,  but  at  last  I made 
one  that  did  not  break,  and  fastened  it  close,  and 
spun  other  threads  to  join  it.  Then  the  mother 
smiled. 

“ ‘What  a patient  spider,’  she  said. 

“The  little  girl  smiled, 'too,  and  took  up  her  work. 
And  when  the  sun  went  down  there  was  a beautiful 
web  in  the  rose  vine  and  a square  of  beautiful  patch- 
work  on  the  step.” — Babyland. 


122 


Glittering  Cems  for  Willing  Workers. 


A Lesson  of  Perseverance  and  Patience* 


It  is  related  of  Susanna  Wesley,  the  “Mother  of 
Methodism, ” that  once  in  teaching-  a certain  lesson 
to  one  of  her  sons,  her  husband  overheard  her  repeat 
exactly  the  same  words  to  the  child  eighteen  times. 
Then,  the  nineteenth  time,  she  was  successful,  and 
the  hoy  repeated  the  words  of  his  mother.  The 
father  wondered  at  such  patience  and  perseverance 
and  inquired  into  the  cause  of  it.  The  wise  mother 
answered:  “If  I had  stopped  before  that  last  time, 
all  my  work  the  previous  number  of  times  would 
have  proved  worthless;  as  it  is,  he,  the  boy,  has  the 
knowledge  I desired  him  to  gain. — E.  Love  Hawkins. 


'‘And  a Little  Child  Shall  Lead  Them." 


One  winter  the  sickness  of  my  baby  sister  caused 
me  to  have  almost  exclusive  care  and  control  of  my 
four-year-old  sister,  a dear  little  girl,  with  brown 
eves,  and  chestnut  curls.  One  day,  growing  tired  of 
her  other  amusements,  she  came  to  me  begging  for 
a story.  I was  very  busy  with  some  school  work 
which  was  necessary  for  the  next  day’s  class,  and 
said  to  Her,  “Wait  a few  minutes,  dearie;  sister  is 
very  busy  and  must  do  this  work.”  She  patiently 
wTaited  a few  moments,  then  came  again,  claiming 
that  the  ‘few  minutes’  had  passed.  I put  aside  my 
work  and  began  some  story  I loved  as  a child.  The 
little  one  stopped  me,  desiring  to  have  some  story 
grandmother  had  read  to  her,  and  which  I did  not 
know.  The  child  suggested  that  she  would  tell  me 
the  story  and  I might  repeat  it  for  her  benefit.  I 


Glittering:  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


123 


agreed  to  the  proposition,  and  so  the  dear  little  voice 
began.  My  mind,  however,  wandered  to  the  work  I 
had  put  aside,  and  I was  very  much  surprised  when  I 
heard  little  sister  say;  “Now,  I’m  done  with  the 
story,  tell  it  to  me.”  I had  to  acknowledge  lack  of 
attention  and  beg  her  to  repeat  her  narrative. 

Again  and  again,  twice  and  thrice  the  story  was 
repeated,  the  child  still  smiling  and  remaining  in  the 
best  of  humor,  I bowed  my  own  head  in  humility, 
willing  to  learn  the  lesson  of  patience  from  the  little 
one,  remembering,  “And  a little  child  shall  lead 
them.” — E.  Love  Hawkins . 

'Si'i'S. 

Living:  Sweetly  Under  Trials. 


Many  of  us  find  life  hard  and  full  of  pain.  The 
world  uses  us  rudely  and  roughly.  We  suffer  wrongs 
and  injuries.  Other  people’s  clumsy  feet  tread  upon 
our  tender  spirits.  We  must  endure  misfortunes, 
trials,  disappointments.  We  can  not  avoid  these 
things,  but  we  should  not  allow  the  harsh  experience 
to  deaden  our  sensibilities  or  make  us  stoical  or 
sour.  The  true  problem  of  living  is  to  keep  our 
hearts  sweet  and  gentle  in  the  hardest  conditions 
and  experiences.  If  you  remove  the  snow  from  the 
hillside  in  the  late  winter,  you  will  find  sweet  flowers 
growing  there  beneath  the  cold  drifts,  unhurt  by  the 
storm  and  by  the  snowy  blanket  that  have  covered 
them.  So  should  we  keep  our  hearts  tender  and 
sensitive  beneath  life’s  fiercest  winter  blasts,  and 
through  the  longest  life  of  suffering,  and  even  of 
injustice  and  wrong  treatment.  That  is  true,  victo- 
rious living. — J.  B.  Miller,  D.  D. 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


124 

SYMPATHY* 


What  Will  it  Matter? 

What  will  it  matter  in  a little  while 
That  for  a day, 

We  met  and  gave  a word,  a touch,  a smile 
Upon  the  way? 

These  trifles!  Can  they  make  or  mar 
Human  life? 

Are  souls  as  lightly  swayed  as  rushes  are 
By  love  or  strife? 

Yea,  yea,  a look  the  fainting  heart  may  break, 
Or  make  it  whole, 

And  just  one  word,  if  said  for  love's  sweet  sake, 
May  save  a soul.  — Anon. 

Wesley  Barefoot* 

More  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago  John 
Wesley  organized  a Sunday-school  in  the  town  of  Sa- 
vanna, Georgia.  The  rules  of  that  Sunday-school 
were  different  from  those  which  prevail  nowadays. 
The  children  were  compelled  to  attend  excepting 
when  ill.  A lack  of  fine  clothing  was  no  excuse,  and 
so  it  happened  that  many  of  the  boys  and  girls  pre- 
sented themselves  in  their  classes  without  shoes  or 
stockings. 

The  colonists  were  many  of  them  too  poor  to  buy 
shoes,  or  even  much  clothing  of  any  kind.  But  the 
climate  in  Georgia  is  mild,  and  it  is  no  hardship  to 
go  scantily  clad. 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers, 


125 


Human  nature,  however,  as  it  showed  itself  in 
John  Wesley’s  Sunday-school,  was  the  same  as  it  is 
now.  The  children  who  could  afford  shoes  fell  into 
the  habit  of  saying'  disagreeable  thing's  to  the  bare- 
footed boys  and  girls.  When  Mr.  Wesley  heard  of 
this  from  the  parents  of  the  children  whose  feet 
were  bare,  and  whose  pride  was  sensitive,  he  pon- 
dered for  a while  as  to  what  course  it  would  be  wisest 
to  pursue.  First,  he  thought  he  ought  to  insist  on 
all  the  children  coming  to  the  Sunday-school  bare- 
footed. Then  he  considered  lecturing  the  offenders 
soundly  on  the  sin  of  vanity.  He  did  neither;  but 
the  next  Sunday  what  was  the  surprise  of  the  teach- 
ers and  pupils  to  see  Preacher  Wesley  walk  softly  in 
with  bare,  clean,  white  feet. 

In  the  course  of  the  session  Mr.  Wesley  took  oc- 
casion to  speak  of  the  fearfully  and  wonderfully  made 
human  body,  and,  placing  his  foot  on  a convenient 
chair,  he  gave  a list  of  the  bones,  tendons  and  joints, 
with  much  other  anatomical  knowledge.  He  told 
the  school  that  no  human  being  could  possibly  make 
a piece  of  machinery  as  marvelous  as  the  human  foot. 

He  called  attention  to  the  clumsiness  and  ugli- 
ness of  shoes  and  stockings  as  compared  with  the 
natural  foot,  with  its  white  and  pink  coloring,  the 
blue  veins  showing  through,  and  each  toe  protected 
by  a beautiful,  transparent  shell. 

Even  the  tan  on  the  feet  of  children  or  grown 
people  who  ran  barefooted  all  the  time,  spoke  of  the 
goodness  and  kindness  of  the  Creator.  The  tan  was 
made  by  the  great  sun  and  the  soft,  odorous  winds. 

The  school  thought  this  little  lecture  very  inter- 
esting, and  it  had  much  better  effect  than  a scolding 
for  the  folly  of  vanity. 


126 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


FRIENDSHIP. 


Worth  While. 

It  is  easy  enough  to  be  pleasant 
When  life  flows  by  like  a song, 

But  the  man  worth  while  is  the  one  who  will  smile 
When  everything  goes  dead  wrong. 

For  the  test  of  the  heart  is  trouble, 

And  it  always  comes  with  the  years, 

And  the  smile  that  is  worth  the  praise  of  the  earth 
Is  the  smile  that  shines  through  the  tears. 

— Ella  Wheeler  Wilcox . 
im? 

The  Friendship  of  St*  Paul* 

The  friendships  of  a g'reat  man  always  throw  light 
upon  the  real  type  and  measure  of  his  greatness. 
Among  the  friends  of  St.  Paul  were  Barnabas,  Luke, 
Aquila  and  Priscilla,  Timothy,  Titus,  Philemon  and 
Apphia,  and  their  bond-servant,  Onesimus.  These 
are  but  a few  of  many.  They  reveal  a nature  deep, 
tender,  and  affectionate;  a heart  which  leaned  on 
other  hearts;  a mind  that  sought  relief  from  the 
strain  of  toil  in  the  delights  of  social  life.  They 
show  the  apostle  to  have  been  a man  broadly  and 
genuinely  human.  His  “enthusiasm  for  humanity” 
was  not  the  idolatry  of  a general  concept,  but  a per- 
sonal interest  in  the  men  and  women  whom  he  knew, 
which  eagerly  sought  their  welfare.  In  return,  the 
apostle  received  from  his  friends  the  love  and  sym- 
pathy which  were  to  him  a perpetual  source  of 
strength  and  comfort. — Prof.  G.  B.  Stevens. 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


12T 


A T rue  Friend. 


The  closing1  days  of  the  life  of  the  intrepid  re- 
former, John  Huss,  were  greatly  brigiitened  by  the 
friendship  of  the  noble-hearted  knight,  John  of 
Chulm.  He  accompanied  Huss  on  his  journey  from 
Prague  to  Constance,  where  he  was  to  appear  before 
the  council,  as  one  of  the  escort  provided  by  the 
emperor  for  his  safe  conduct.  He  stood  by  him  faith- 
fully at  the  council  of  Constance,  and  spoke  with 
great  boldness  and  energy  for  his  cause  and  libera- 
tion. He  hastened  to  him  in  prison  after  his  trial, 
and  Huss  himself  tells  us  how  much  this  testimony 
of  friendship,  made  at  such  a time,  meant  to  him. 
“O  what  joy  did  I feel,”  he  writes,  “from  the  pres- 
sure of  my  lord  John’s  hand,  which  he  was  not 
ashamed  to  give  me,  the  wretched,  outcast  heretic, 
in  my  chains!  ” 

When  Huss  was  led  from  his  cell  to  make  his  final 
declaration  to  the  deputation  from  the  emperor, 
Chulm  addressed  him  in  these  words:  “I  am  an 
unlettered  man,  anu  know  not  how  to  advise  you, 
who  are  a learned  man.  Yeti  beseech  you,  if  you 
are  conscious  of  any  error  in  that  which  has  been 
publicly  brought  against  you  by  the  council,  do  not 
shrink  from  altering  your  opinion  according  to  their 
will;  but  if  you  are  not,  I shall  not  lead  you  to  the 
false  step  of  doing  contrary  to  your  conscience;  I 
much  rather  advise  you  to  suffer  any  punishment 
sooner  than  deny  the  truth  of  which  you  are  well 
assured.”  Truly,  his  was  a finely  tempered  friend- 
ship. 


128 


Glittering  Gems  for  billing  Workers. 


IMMORTALITY. 


“My  Home.” 

BY  W.  T.  ROUSE. 

O blessed  home  prepared  above, 

For  all  those  who  the  Savior  love; 

O joy  supreme,  O bliss  complete, 

That  home  above,  how  sweet,  how  sweet. 
While  at  the  throne  of  grace  I kneel, 

Within  my  trembling  heart  I feel 
A longing  to  enter  the  golden  gate; 

But  a soft  and  tender  voice  says,  “Wait.” 
Obscured  in  darkness,  I almost  see, 

A home  on  high  prepared  for  me; 

Eemove  the  mist,  dear  Lord,  the  doubt 
Which  circles  my  poor  heart  about. 

Piercing  the  skies  of  heaven  through, 

With  my  misty  eyes  I view, 

Things  which  have  a brighter  glow, 

Than  here  the  eyes  of  man  may  know. 
Methinks  I see,  by  eye  of  faith, 

My  Lord  and  Savior  as  he  saith, 

“Fear  not  my  child,  I’ll  come  for  thee, 

Then  thou  shalt  this  fair  mansion  see.” 

Immortality. 

I feel  in  myself  the  future  life.  I am  like  a for- 
est once  cut  down;  the  new  shoots  are  stronger  and 
livelier  than  ever.  I am  rising,  I know,  toward  the 
sky.  The  sunshine  is  on  my  head.  The  earth  gives 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  "Workers. 


129 


me  its  generous  sap,  but  heaven  lights  me  with  the 
reflection  of  unknown  worlds.  You  say  the  soul  is 
nothing  but  the  resultant  of  the  bodily  powers.  Why, 
then,  is  my  soul  more  luminous  when  my  bodily  pow- 
ers begin  to  fail?  Winter  is  on  my  head,  but  eternal 
spring  is  in  my  heart.  There  I breathe  at  this  hour 
the  fragrance  of  the  lilacs,  the  violets,  and  the  roses 
as  at  twenty  years.  The  nearer  I approach  the  end, 
the  plainer  I hear  around  me  the  immortal  sympho- 
nies of  the  worlds  which  invite  me.  It  is  marvelous, 
yet  simple.  It  is  a fairy  tale,  and  it  is  history.  For 
half  a century  I have  been  writing  my  thoughts  in 
prose  and  verse;  history,  philosophy,  drama,  ro- 
mance, tradition,  satire,  ode  and  song — I have  tried 
it  ail.  But  I feel  I have  not  said  the  thousandth  part 
of  what  is  in  me.  When  I go  down  to  the  grave  I 
can  say,  like  many  others:  “I  have  finished  my  day’s 
work.”  But  I can  not  say:  “I  have  finished  my  life.” 
My  day’s  work  will  begin  again  the  next  morning. 
The  tomb  is  not  a blind  alley;  it  is  a thoroughfare. 
It  closes  on  the  twilight;  it  opens  with  the  dawn. 
— Victor  Hugo. 

VSfV 

Proof  of  Immortality* 

One  evening  you  find  among  the  reeds  of  your 
lake  an  unknown  bird,  whose  broad  breast  and  pow- 
erful pinions  are  not  meant  for  this  inland  scene.  It 
is  resting  midway  between  two  oceans,  and  by  to- 
morrow will  have  gone.  Does  not  that  bird  prove 
the  ocean  it  left,  does  it  not  prove  the  ocean  wThither 
t has  flown?  “Jesus,  knowing  . . . that  he  was  come 
from  God  and  went  to  God,”  is  the  revelation  and 
confirmation  of  ageless  life. — John  Watson , D.  V. 

9 


130 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


MISCELLANEOUS* 


Man's  Privilege* 


BY  EMILY  C.  JUDSON. 

To  loose  the  prisoned  flutterer’s  wing-, 
Touch  the  degraded  spirit’s  spring, 

To  give  a songster  to  the  sky, 

A voice  to  swell  the  choir  on  high — 
Oh,  if  there  be  for  man  a bliss, 

Above  what  angels  feel,  ’tis  this. 

vW. 

How  One  Man  Helped  a Boy* 


The  following  story  is  told  of  a Philadelphia  mil- 
lionaire, who  has  been  dead  for  some  years:  A young 
man  came  to  his  home  one  day  and  asked  for  a loan 
of  money  to  aid  him  in  starting  in  business. 

“Do  you  drink?”  asked  the  millionaire. 

“Once  in  a while.” 

“Stop  it!  Stop  it  for  a year  and  then  come  and 
see  me.” 

The  young  man  broke  off  the  habit  at  once,  and 
at  the  end  of  the  year  came  to  see  the  millionaire 
again. 

“Do  you  smoke?”  asked  the  successful  man. 

“Now  and  then.” 

“Stop  it!  Stop  it  for  a year,  and  then  come  and 
see  me  again.” 

The  young  man  went  home  and  broke  away  from 
the  habit.  It  took  him  some  time,  but  he  finally  wor- 


Glittering:  Gems  for  Willing  Workers.  131 

ried  through  the  year,  and  presented  himself  again. 

“Do  you  chew?”  asked  the  philanthropist. 

“Yes,  I do,”  was  the  desperate  reply. 

“Stop  it!  Stop  it  for  a year,  and  then  come  and 
see  me  again.” 

The  young  man  stopped  chewing,  but  he  never 
came  back  again.  When  asked  by  his  anxious  friends 
why  he  never  called  on  the  millionaire  again,  he  re- 
plied that  he  knew  exactly  what  the  man  was  driving 
at.  “He’d  have  told  me  that  now  that  I had  stopped 
drinking  and  smoking  and  chewing,  I must  have 
enough  to  start  myself  in  business.  And  I have.” 
— Exchange . 

A Vade  Mecum* 

If  you  are  getting  lazy,  read  James. 

If  your  faith  is  below  par,  read  Paul. 

If  you  are  impatient,  sit  down  quietly  and  have  a 
talk  with  Job. 

If  you  are  a little  strong-headed,  go  and  see  Moses. 

If  you  are  getting  weak-kneed,  take  a look  at 
Elijah. 

If  there  is  no  song  in  your  heart,  listen  to  David. 

If  you  are  getting  sordid,  spend  a while  with 
Isaiah. 

If  you  feel  chilly,  get  the  beloved  disciple  to  put 
his  arm  around  you. 

If  you  are  losing  sight  of  the  future,  climb  up  to 
Revelation,  and  get  a glimpse  of  the  promised  land. 

If  you  are  out  of  sorts,  read  Hebrews  12. 

If  you  are  down  with  the  blues,  read  Psalm  28. 

If  people  pelt  you  with  hard  words,  read  John  15. 


132 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


If  you  feel  lonesome  and  unprotected,  read  the 
91st  Psalm. 

If  you  find  yourself  losing*  confidence  in  men,  read 
I Cor.  13. 

If  there  is  a chilly  sensation  about  the  heart,  read 
Rev.  3. 

If  you  don’t  know  where  to  look  for  the  month’s 
rent,  read  Psalm  37. 

If  you  are  getting*  discouraged  about  }^our  work, 
read  Psalm  126  and  Gal.  6:7-9. — Selected. 

I Know  a Thing  or  Two* 


“My  dear  boy,”  said  a father  to  his  only  son,  “you 
are  in  bad  company.  The  lads  with  whom  you  asso- 
ciate indulge  in  bad  habits.  They  drink,  smoke, 
swear,  and  I am  afraid  they  gamble.  They  are  not 
safe  company  for  you.  I beg  you  to  quit  their  so- 
ciety.” 

“You  needn’t  be  afraid  of  me,  father,”  replied  the 
boy,  laughingly.  “I  guess  I know  a thing  or  two.  I 
know  how  far  to  go  and  when  to  stop.” 

The  lad  left  his  father’s  house,  twirling  his  cane 
in  his  fingers  and  laughing  at  the  “old  man’s  no- 
tions.” 

A few  years  later,  and  that  lad,  grown  to  man- 
hood, stood  at  the  bar  of  a court,  before  a jury  which 
had  just  brought  in  a verdict  of  guilty  against  him 
for  some  crime  in  which  he  had  been  concerned. 

Before  he  was  sentenced  he  addressed  the  court 
and  said,  among  other  things:  “My  downward  course 
began  in  disobedience  to  my  parents.  I thought  I 
knew  as  much  as  my  father  did,  and  I spurned  his 


Glittering;  Gems  for  Willing:  Workers. 


133 


advice;  but  as  soon  as  I turned  my  back  upon  my 
home,  temptations  came  upon  me  like  a drove  of  hy- 
enas, and  hurried  me  into  ruin.” 

Mark  that,  boys,  you  who  think  you  are  wise 
enough  to  do  without  your  father’s  advice.  Don’t 
disobey  your  parents,  I beg  of  you,  don’t. — Exchange. 

To  The  Point* 

A skeptic,  who  was  trying  to  confuse  a Christian 
colored  man  by  contradictory  passages  in  the  Bible, 
asked  how  it  could  be  that  we  are  in  the  Spirit  and 
the  Spirit  in  us.  He  received  the  following  reply: 
“Oh,  dar’s  no  puzzle  ’bout  dat.  It’s  like  dat  poker. 
I puts  it  in  de  fire  till  it  gets  red  hot.  Now,  de  poker’s 
in  de  fire,  and  de  fire’s  in  de  poker.” — Chicago  Living 
Church. 

A Good  Way  to  Preach* 


It  is  a good  way  to  preach  by  standing  up  for  our 
principles  in  the  face  of  opposition.  A determined 
stand  for  principle  will  often  carry  more  conviction 
than  a labored  argument  or  a great  sermon. 

Almost  a century  ago  a young  man  was  appointed 
preceptor  in  the  Academy  of  Bradford,  Mass.  He 
was  invited  to  a social  party,  and  after  a time  cards 
were  brought  out.  This  much  tried  him.  He  left 
the  room.  Some  of  the  young  ladies  soon  inquired 
where  he  was.  They  found  him  and  asked  his  reasons 
for  refusing  to  play  cards.  This  led  to  a conversa- 
tion upon  religion  which  was  the  means  of  the  con- 


134 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


version  of  Harriet  Atwood,  afterwards  Mrs.  Newell, 
the  famous  missionary,  one  of  the  first  missionary 
company  that  ever  went  from  America. 

“Be  a Good  Man,  Papa*” 

Mary’s  father  was  going-  on  a journey  that  would 
keep  him  away  from  his  home  for  a week  at  least. 
The  children  hated  to  have  him  go,  for  they  would 
miss  him  sadly.  He  was  all  ready  to  start,  and  the 
horse  and  wagon  were  at  the  door.  Mary,  always 
eager  for  the  last  word  and  the  last  kiss,  followed 
him  and  gave  him  a loving  hug  before  he  drove  off. 
“Mind,  now,  and  be  a good  girl,  Mary,”  said  he. 
“Yes,  papa,  I will;  and  you  must  be  a good  man, 
papa,”  answered  Mary  as  he  drove  off.  When  he 
looked  back  as  he  came  to  a turn  in  the  road,  he  saw 
Mary  still  standing  by  the  gate  waving  her  good  bye. 

Her  last  words,  “Be  a good  man,  papa,”  went  with 
him.  Did  he  not  need  the  counsel  as  well  as  she? 
He  felt  that  he  was  only  a child  of  larger  growth. 
Men  and  women  have  their  temptations  to  do  wrong 
as  well  as  boys  and  girls.  For  the  sake  of  his  little 
girl  and  his  family  he  would  “be  a good  man”  in 
every  sense  of  the  word;  he  would  be  honest  in  busi- 
ness, strictly  conscientious,  and  keep  his  heart  pure 
and  his  lips  sweet  and  clean  for  their  kisses.  If 
every  man  would  do  the  same  what  a happy  world 
ours  might  be! — Youth's  Temperance  Banner . 

Some  people  are  proud  of  their  supposed  humility. 
A young  man  had  been  converted  in  a Salvation 


Glittering  Gems  for  "Willing  Workers. 


135 


Army  meeting’.  In  relating-  his  experience  from  the 
platform  shortly  afterward,  he  declared  that  while 
he  had  been  full  of  pride  and  self-conceit  before, 
that  everything-  of  that  kind  had  been  taken  out  of 
his  heart,  and  that  to  prove  it  he  was  willing-  to  go 
down  and  kiss  a poor  colored  woman  before  him.  As 
he  approached  her  to  prove  his  utter  loss  of  all  pride, 
she  arose  with  dignity  and  said,  “Brudder,  you  may 
hab  no  pride,  but  I has;  you  can’t  kiss  me.” 

Rev.  F.  B.  Meyer  relates  the  following  incident 
bearing  upon  this  same  thought:  “Some  young  men 
came  to  old  Andrew  Bonar  and  said:  ‘Dr.  Bonar,  we 
have  been  all  night  with  God,  can’t  you  see  our  faces 
shine?’  The  old  man  replied:  ‘Moses  wist  not  that 
his  face  did  shine.’  ” — Our  Young  People. 

An  Arab's  Answer* 


A Frenchman  who  had  won  a high  rank  among 
men  of  science,  and  who  yet  denied  the  existence  of 
God,  the  author  of  all  science,  was  crossing  the 
desert  of  Sahara  in  company  with  an  Arab  guide. 
This  so-called  philosopher  noticed,  with  a sneer,  that 
at  certain  times  his  guide,  whatever  obstacles  might 
arise,  put  them  ail  aside,  and,  kneeling  on  the  burn- 
ing sands,  called  on  his  God. 

Day  after  day  passed,  and  the  Arab  never  neg- 
lected his  devotions.  At  last  one  evening,  as  he 
arose  from  his  knees,  the  Frenchman  asked  him  with 
a sneer:  “How  do  you  know  there  is  a God?” 

The  guide  fixed  his  eyes  upon  the  scoffer  in  won- 
der, and  then  said  with  deep  solemnity:  “How  do  I 
know  there  is  a God?  How  did  I know  that  a man 


136 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


and  not  a camel,  passed  my  hut  last  night  in  the 
darkness?  Was  it  not  by  the  print  of  his  foot  on  the 
sand?  Even  so,”  and  he  pointed  to  the  sun,  whose 
last  rays  were  flashing  over  the  lonely  desert,  “that 
footprint  was  not  that  of  a man.”- Ex. 

Honesty  in  Consecration* 

We  are  more  apt  to  see  the  comfort  in  the  words, 
“She  hath  done  what  she  could,”  than  the  solemnity 
of  them.  They  are  a tender  recognition  but  a 
tremendous  challenge.  “What  she  could”  means  all 
she  could.  The  Master  compared  us  not  with  others 
but  with  our  best  selves,  with  our  possible  selves. 
There  is  the  rub.  What  I did,  substracted  from  what 
I might  have  done  gives  the  bad  remainder,  the  im- 
moral debit,  the  moral  discredit. 

“There’s  a kindness  in  his  justice  that  is  more 
than  liberty.”  Thank  God  for  it.  But  let  not  us 
misunderstand  the  truth  and  think  we  are  at  liberty 
to  do  what  we  happen  to  feel  like.  Did  the  Lord  say 
of  Sapphira,  “She  hath  done  what  she  could?” — 
Christian  TJnlook. 

His  Arm* 

When  Saladin  looked  at  the  sword  of  Richard 
Coeur  de  Leon,  he  wondered  that  a blade  so  ordinary 
should  have  wrought  such  mighty  deeds.  The  English 
king  bared  his  arm  and  said,  “It  was  not  the  sword 
that  did  these  things;  it  was  the  arm  of  Richard.” 
We  should  be  instruments  that  the  Lord  can  use; 
and  when  he  has  used  us,  the  glory  should  all  be  his. 
— Bev.  George  F . Pentecost , J).  D. 


Glittering;  Gems  for  Willing:  Workers. 


137 


Make  Room  For  Him* 


We  cannot  create  canary  birds,  but  we  can  pro- 
vide cages  and  food  for  them,  and  fill  our  dwellings 
with  their  music.  Even  so  we  cannot  create  the 
spiritual  gifts  and  blessings  which  Jesus  offers,  but 
they  are  ours  if  we  provide  heart  room  for  them. 
The  birds  of  Peace  and  Praise  and  Joy  will  fly  in  fast 
enough,  if  we  only  set  the  doors  and  windows  of  our 
souls  open  for  the  Christmas  Christ. — T.  L.  Cuyler,. 
D.  D. 

“Seeketh  Not  Her  Own/' 


There  is  a fine  story  told  in  the  Jewish  legends. 
Two  brothers  occupied  a portion  of  land  in  common, 
one  of  whom  had  a family,  the  other  of  whom  had 
none.  When  the  wheat  had  been  harvested  in  a 
certain  season,  and  divided  as  usual,  the  elder  brother 
said  in  the  night-time  to  his  wife:  “My  brother  has 
no  one  to  look  after  or  to  care  for  him  in  the  heat 
and  burden  of  the  day;  I am  going  quietly  while  he 
sleeps,  and  shall  add  some  of  my  shocks  of  grain  to 
his.  ” 

The  same  evening,  the  younger  brother  thought 
within  himself:  “My  brother  has  a family  to  support, 
and  I am  freer  from  need  than  he;  I will  go  without 
his  knowledge,  while  it  is  now  dark,  and  give 
some  of  my  wheat  to  him.”  Next  morning  came, 
and,  to  their  surprise,  no  change  in  the  heaps  could 
be  seen.  They  attempted  the  generous  action  again, 
and  still  the  portions  were  undiminished.  Then  they 
watched,  and  began  anew;  and,  of  course,  they  met 
in  the  road,  their  arms  full  of  sheaves. 


138 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


There  on  that  spot,  hallowed  by  fraternal  affec- 
tion, the  rabbins  say  Solomon’s  Temple  was  reared, 
“the  fairest  fabric  under  the  sun.” — The  Sunday- 
School  Times. 

Strange  Bible  Facts* 


The  learned  prince  of  Grenada,  heir  to  the  Span- 
ish throne,  imprisoned  by  order  of  the  crown  for  fear 
he  should  aspire  to  the  throne,  was  kept  in  solitary 
confinement  in  the  old  prison  of  the  Place  of  Skulls, 
Madrid.  After  thirty-three  years  in  this  living- 
tomb,  death  came  to  his  release  and  the  following 
remarkable  researches  taken  from  the  Bible  and 
marked  with  an  old  nail  on  the  rough  walls  of  his 
cell,  told  how  the  brain  sought  employment  througii 
the  weary  years: 

In  the  Bible  the  word  “Lord”  is  found  1853  times. 

The  word  “Jehovah”  6885  times. 

The  word  “reverend”  but  once,  and  that  in  the 
ninth  verse  of  the  11th  Psalm. 

The  eight  verse  of  the  97tli  Psalm  is  the  middle 
verse  of  the  Bible. 

The  ninth  verse  of  the  eiglith  chapter  of  Esther 
is  the  longest. 

The  thirty-fifth  verse,  eleventh  chapter  of  St. 
John,  is  the  shortest. 

In  the  107th  Psalm  four  verses  are  alike — the 
eight,  fifteenth,  twenty-first  and  thirty-first. 

Each  verse  of  the  136th  Psalm  ends  alike. 

No  names  or  words  with  more  than  six  syllables 
are  found  in  the  Bible. 

The  thirty-seventh  chapter  of  Isaiah  and  nine- 
teenth chapter  of  second  Kings  are  alike. 


Glittering:  Gems  for  Willing;  Workers. 


139 


The  word  “girl”  occurs  but  once  in  the  Bible,  and 
that  in  the  third  verse,  third  chapter  of  Joel. 

There  is  found  in  both  books  of  the  Bible  3,538,483 
letters,  773,693  words,  31,373  verses,  1189  chapters 
and  66  books. 

The  twenty-sixth  chapter  of  the  Acts  of  the 
Apostles  is  the  finest  chapter  to  read. 

The  most  beautiful  chapter  is  the  23d  Psalm. 

The  four  most  inspiring-  promises  are  John  4:12, 
7:37;  Matthew  9:28;  and  Psalm  37:4. 

The  first  verse  of  the  fiftieth  chapter  of  Isaiah  is 
the  one  for  the  new  convert. 

All  who  flatter  themselves  with  vain  boastings 
should  read  the  sixth  chapter  of  Matthew. 

All  humanity  should  learn  the  sixth  chapter  of 
St.  Luke,  from  the  twentieth  verse  to  its  ending. — 
Our  Sunday  Afternoon . 

The  Biography  of  a Believer* 

He  who  writes  a “life”  of  another  usually  begins 
with  the  birth,  follows  with  the  training  process, 
then  the  work  done,  and,  finally  the  close  of  the 
earthly  career. 

If  the  reader  will  turn  to  Romans  6:22  there  will 
be  found  a concise,  but  complete,  “life”  of  a Chris- 
tian, in  four  clauses.  Here  they  are,  in  order:  “But 
now  being  made  free  from  sin” — that  is  justification, 
which  is  linked  with  the  new  birth — “ye  become 
servants  of  God” — that  includes  consecration  and 
training, — “ye  have  your  fruit  unto  holiness” — that 
is  the  work  done, — “and  the  end,  everlasting  life”— 
that  is  the  close  of  the  earthly,  but,  blessed  be  God! 
the  beginning  of  the  heavenly,  the  eternal  life. 


140 


Glittering  Cems  for  Willing  Workers. 


Dear  reader,  study  this  verse,  and  ask  the  ques- 
tion: Does  this  verse  describe  my  life?  May  the 
Holy  Spirit  guide  you! — Dr.  John  Hall,  in  Christian 
Budget. 

Slander* 

He -who  can  choke  the  sweet  flowers  of  social  love, 
and  taint  them  with  disease;  or  in  the  Paradise  of 
earthly  bliss,  where  the  plants  of  virtue  flourish, 
spread  the  blight  and  desolation,  hatred  and  distrust 
— who  can  crush  his  neighbor’s  fame  to  dust,  and 
build  on  its  ruins — who  can  write  infamy  upon  the 
brow  of  others,  to  prove  his  own  purity,  is  neither 
man  nor  beast,  but  a heartless  fiend*  Those  who 
have  seen  their  dearest  interest  tampered  with;  who 
know  what  it  is  to  have  the  priceless  gem  of  a good 
name  sullied  by  the  poisonous  breath  of  cold,  unpity- 
ing slander — these  best  can  say  he  has  no  heart.  If 
the  lightning’s  flash  ever  darts  from  heaven  to  strike 
the  guilty  down  it  will  blast  the  hope  of  murderers 
such  as  these. — Ex. 

Be  Tender  in  Rebuke* 

He  who  rightly  divides  the  word  of  God  must  of 
necessity  often  utter  plain  warnings  to  the  wicked — 
terrible  warnings.  The  Bible  abounds  with  such. 
But  beneath  them  all  there  is  a vein  of  tenderness 
and  pity.  Jesus  denounced  Jerusalem  in  scathing 
words  for  its  sins,  but  wept  at  the  thought  of  the 
punishment  which  was  to  overtake  it.  If  his  heart 
had  not  been  pained  by  the  truth  he  uttered,  his  lips 
would  not  have  been  fit  to  speak  it. 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


141 


We  who  preach  surely  have  no  business  to  hurl 
God’s  awful  warning's  and  denunciations  against  sin- 
ners unless  we  can  feel  a tender  pity  for  the  impeni- 
tent. A preacher  who  can  preach  a sermon  on  the 
love  of  Christ  without  manifesting-  tender  emotion 
is  out  of  harmony  with  his  theme,  but  not  more  so 
than  one  who  can  so  preach  on  the  everlasting  pun- 
ishment.— /.  B.  Miller , D.  D. 


Good  Advice  of  Henry  Grady* 


The  following  letter  of  the  lamented  Henry  Grady 
to  his  young  friend,  Clark  Howell,  on  his  birthday, 
will  not  be  out  of  place.  The  prohibition  sentiments 
of  Mr.  Grady,  and  his  great  prominence,  give  it 
greater  force: 

“My  son  will  be  just  about  your  age  when  you  are 
just  about  mine,  and  I have  got  to  looking  at  you  as 
a sort  of  prefiguring  of  what  my  son  may  be,  and  of 
looking  over  you  and  rejoicing  in  your  success.  Let 
me  write  to  you  what  I would  be  willing  for  you  to 
write  to  him. 

“Never  gamble.  Of  all  the  vices  that  enthrall 
men,  this  is  the  worst,  the  strongest,  and  the  most 
insidious.  Outside  of  the  morality  of  it,  it  is  the 
poorest  investment,  the  poorest  business,  and  the 
poorest  fun.  No  man  is  safe  who  plays  at  all.  It  is 
easier  never  to  play.  I never  knew  a man,  a gentle- 
man and  a man  of  business,  who  did  not  regret  the 
time  and  money  he  had  wasted  in  it.  A man  who 
plays  poker  is  unfit  for  every  other  business  on 
earth. 

“Never  drink.  I love  liquor,  and  I love  the  fel- 


142  Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 

lowship  involved  in  drinking-.  My  safety  has  been 
that  I never  drink  at  all.  It  is  much  easier  not  to 
drink  at  all  than  to  drink  a little.  If  I had  to  attrib- 
ute what  I have  done  in  life  to  any  one  thing-,  I 
should  attribute  it  to  the  fact  that  I am  a teetotaler. 
As  sure  as  you  are  born,  it  is  the  pleasantest,  the 
easiest,  and  the  safest  way. 

“Marry  early.  There  is  nothing-  that  steadies  a 
young  fellow  like  marrying-  a good  girl  and  raising  a 
family.  By  marrying  young,  your  children  will  grow 
up  when  they  are  a pleasure  to  you.  You  feel  the 
responsibility  of  life,  the  sweetness  of  life,  and  you 
avoid  bad  habits. 

“If  you  never  drink,  never  gamble,  and  marry 
early,  there  is  no  limit  to  the  useful  and  distinguished 
life  you  may  live.  You  will  be  the  pride  of  your 
father’s  heart  and  the  joy  of  your  mother’s. 

“I  don’t  know  that  there  is  any  happiness  on 
earth  worth  having  outside  of  the  happiness  of 
knowing  that  you  have  done  your  duty,  and  that  you 
have  tried  to  do  good.  You  try  to  build  up.  There 
are  always  plenty  others  who  will  do  all  the  tearing 
down  that  is  necessary.  You  try  to  live  in  the  sun- 
shine. Men  who  stay  in  the  shade  always  get  mil- 
dewed.” 

Fault  Finding* 

One  of  the  easiest  things  in  the  world  is  to  find 
fault  with  other  people.  But  how  difficult  it  is  to  see 
our  own  faults;  to  understand  our  weak  points  and  to 
remember  that  as  we  see  faults  in  others,  they  see 
faults  as  bad,  and,  perhaps,  worse  in  us.  Let  us  be 
charitable  and  do  as  the  great  artist  who  painted  a 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


145 


picture  of  his  monarch,  upon  whose  brow  there  was 
a scar.  He  placed  his  king  with  elbow  resting’  on  a 
table  and  his  head  supported  by  his  hand,  but  with 
finger  covering  the  scar.  Let  us  endeavor  to  place 
the  finger  of  charity  over  the  scars  of  our  brethren. 
— German  Beformed  Messenger. 

The  Safest  Bank. 

“When  I am  a man,”  said  Tom,  “I  intend  to  put 
my  money  in  the  safest  bank  in  the  world.” 

“Which  bank  is  that?”  inquired  Tom’s  father. 
Tom  hadn’t  thought  of  the  matter. 

As  he  talked  it  over  with  his  father,  he  found  there 
were  more  things  than  he  had  dreamed  of  to  render 
banks  uncertain — fire,  flood,  burglars,  panics,  dishon- 
est employes,  so  that  even  the  strongest  in  the  world 
might  be  compelled  to  suspend  payment. 

“But,  papa,”  Tom  asked  in  dismay,  “isn’t  there 
one  sure  of  keeping  his  promise?” 

“There  is  One  who  has  never  forgotten  or  broken 
a promise.  His  promises  are  dated  thousands  of 
years  back.  They  are  scattered  over  the  world.  Not 
one  of  them  has  ever  been  refused  redemption.” 

“O,  that’s  the  bank  for  me!” 

“Here  is  a check-book.” 

He  handed  Tom  a Bible. — Christian  Endeavor 
World. 

vv^ 

Five  great  enemies  to  peace  inhabit  us,  namely, 
avarice,  ambition,  envy,  anger,  and  pride;  and  if 
those  enemies  were  to  be  banished,  we  should  infalli- 
bly enjoy  perpetual  peace. — Petrarch. 


144 


Glittering  Gems  for  Willing  Workers. 


Now. 

A beautiful  anecdote  is  told  of  the  student  his- 
tory of  Thomas  a’  Kempis,  which  illustrates  his  ele- 
vated piety.  His  preceptor  asked  a class  of  which 
he  was  a member,  “What  passage  of  Scripture  con- 
veys the  sweetest  description  of  heaven?”  One  an- 
swered, “There  shall  be  no  more  sorrow  there.”  An- 
other, “There  shall  be  no  more  death.”  Another, 
“They  shall  see  His  face.”  But  Thomas  a’  Kempis, 
who  was  the  youngest  of  all,  said,  “And  His  servants 
shall  serve  Him.” 

* * * 

Of  “Jesus  Lover  of  My  Soul, ’’Henry  Ward  Beecher 
said:  “I  would  rather  have  written  this  hymn,  than 
to  have  the  fame  of  all  the  kings  that  ever  sat  upon 
the  earth.  . . . That  hymn  will  go  on  singing  until 
the  last  trump  brings  forth  the  angel  band;  and  then, 
I think,  it  will  mount  up  on  some  lip  to  the  very  pres- 
ence of  God.” 

■x-  * * 

A child  broke  an  ornament  which  he  had  been 
forbidden  to  touch.  Remembering  the  full  tide  he 
threw  it  into  the  waves.  When  the  tide  went  out 
the  child’s  disobedience  and  deceit  were  found  out. 
Life  is  a tide.  It  will  go  out,  and  our  guilty  secrets 
will  be  discovered. 

* * -x- 

He  that  can  not  forgive  others  breaks  the  bridge 
over  which  he  must  pass  himself:  for  every  man  has 
need  to  be  forgiven. — Lord  Herbert. 

■x-  * -x- 

All  I think,  all  I hope,  all  I write,  all  I live  for, 
is  based  upon  the  divinity  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  cen- 
tral joy  of  my  poor,  way  ward  heart. — W.  E.  Gladstone 


INDEX, 


PAGE 

Mercy 5 

Watchfulness 8 

Service 13 

Keeping-  the  Sabbath 40 

Contentment 43 

Temperance  50 

Temper 58 

Love  62 

Faith 66 

Prayer 76 

The  Bib]  e 81 

Covetousness 88 

Cheerfulness 92 

Influence 98 

Opportunity Ill 

Forgiveness 113 

Salvation 116 

Perseverance 121 

Sympathy 124 

Friendship 126 

Immortality] 128 

Miscellaneous 130 


